Sarah E. Holland, Senior Maritime Archaeologist
Institutional Member, Maritime Archaeology Trust

Are you interested in shipwreck research? Do you have some spare time to volunteer on a UK-based project from wherever you are based in the world? If so, I’d love you to read on about an engaging opportunity that you can start right away. The Maritime Archaeology Trust (MAT), based in Southampton, England, is studying metal hulled sailing vessels (MHSVs) located in English territorial waters. More specifically, we are investigating the archaeological potential and historic significance of a collection of these vessels as many are unique and reflect a period of dynamic change for shipbuilding between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. The project researching these ships was intentionally designed to provide volunteers with a fascinating opportunity to learn how to research and analyze ship histories using a wide range of online historical resources. The end goal for each vessel is the creation of a ship biography, which in turn will be added into an online viewer.

In the first step, you will learn to research your ship using a range of interesting resources, including the Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, the Lloyd’s Register plans and survey archive, newspaper reports of the period on the ships and their voyages, and other online sources. With additional data from the seabed, this research can help piece together the stories of these ships, telling where they traveled, the cargo they carried, who traveled on them, and how they came to wreck along the coast of England.

Figure 1: Wreck of the Hansy, Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/StateLibQld_1_142327_Hansy_%28ship%29.jpg

The good news is that the MAT has a series of guides, videos, and tip sheets about how to complete the research Record Forms (RF). We will provide training and guidance every step of the way. Once the RF is completed, we have notes and templates for developing the ship biography and are always available to review the RF and biography at every stage to provide feedback, creating a dialogue with our volunteers on a topic we love. The other good news is that of the original dataset of around 200 vessels, we still have more that need to be studied and are in need of biographies. This is where you can help!

This project has been generously funded by Historic England and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation to develop understanding of the archaeological character, historic significance, and research potential of MHSV sites in English waters. There are currently no examples of seabed remains of MHSVs protected under heritage legislation in England and, due to the environmental impacts on their metal hulls, they are believed to be deteriorating relatively rapidly making them a finite archaeological resource. Participating in this project and helping us research these vessels and develop their biographies will help the MAT review the collection as a whole for its potential to illuminate a range of research themes in England and internationally, and assess the significance of those sites identified as important within the dataset. This research is developing a broader understanding of the build, repairs, and modifications to the ships; their global international sailing careers, ports of call and cargoes carried; the circumstances of their loss and any subsequent salvage, surveys, or archaeological investigations. Collectively, this information will identify historically significant sites worthy of future preservation and dissemination.

Figure 2: Crew of the Three-Masted Ship Arctic Stream on Deck, Washington, USA, circa 1900.
Handwritten on verso: “ARCTIC STREAM 3 m. ship Capt. A. Bowen ARCTIC STREAM was built at Glasgow in 1885. She was lost at sea in 1914.” https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crew_of_the_three-masted_ship_ARCTIC_STREAM_on_deck,_Washington,_ca_1900_(HESTER_426).jpeg

If you still aren’t quite sure if you want to join us, the MAT has several blogs about ships/shipwreck sites that have already been researched as a way to tempt you to join. This is just a taste of the possibilities.

The good news is that the MAT has a series of guides, videos, and tip sheets about how to complete the research Record Forms (RF). We will provide training and guidance every step of the way. Once the RF is completed, we have notes and templates for developing the ship biography and are always available to review the RF and biography at every stage to provide feedback, creating a dialogue with our volunteers on a topic we love. The other good news is that of the original dataset of around 200 vessels, we still have more that need to be studied and are in need of biographies. This is where you can help!

This project has been generously funded by Historic England and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation to develop understanding of the archaeological character, historic significance, and research potential of MHSV sites in English waters. There are currently no examples of seabed remains of MHSVs protected under heritage legislation in England and, due to the environmental impacts on their metal hulls, they are believed to be deteriorating relatively rapidly making them a finite archaeological resource. Participating in this project and helping us research these vessels and develop their biographies will help the MAT review the collection as a whole for its potential to illuminate a range of research themes in England and internationally, and assess the significance of those sites identified as important within the dataset. This research is developing a broader understanding of the build, repairs, and modifications to the ships; their global international sailing careers, ports of call and cargoes carried; the circumstances of their loss and any subsequent salvage, surveys, or archaeological investigations. Collectively, this information will identify historically significant sites worthy of future preservation and dissemination.

Image of SV Horsa (approximately 1870) (State Library, South Australia, Part of the A. D. Edwardes Collection, Public Domain) https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+1373/1/26

If you still aren’t quite sure if you want to join us, the MAT has several blogs about ships/shipwreck sites that have already been researched as a way to tempt you to join. This is just a taste of the possibilities.

Last, but certainly not least, getting involved is easy! Send an email to sarah.holland@maritimearchaeologytrust.org expressing your interest and we can set-up an online meeting to discuss next steps. You’ll have your ship assignment and be able to set off on this research voyage in no time. I hope to hear from you soon!

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