From Shipwreck to Spotlight: The Unearthing of the Earl of Chatham
A schoolboy's discovery of a wooden ship's ribs on a Scottish beach led archaeologists to identify it as the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-century warship. Uncovered after a storm, the find involved community efforts to preserve the ship and ignited interest in Orkney Island's maritime history.
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- United Kingdom
A schoolboy's accidental find on a remote Scottish beach has led archaeologists to a spectacular discovery: the last resting place of the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-century warship. The ship was uncovered on Sanday, an Orkney Island, after a storm in February 2024.
This archaeological mystery unfolded thanks to a blend of science and community spirit. The vessel, initially the HMS Hind, played pivotal roles in the British military and took part in America's War of Independence. Later, it became a whaling ship, supporting the Industrial Revolution.
The find has sparked renewed interest in Orkney's maritime past and shows the local community's pivotal role in archaeology. The incident serves as a reminder of the ever-present history lying beneath the sands of Sanday, now potentially more accessible due to climate change.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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