Latest news with #HMSCoronation
Telegraph
30-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Protected 17th-century shipwreck damaged by fishing pots
For more than 330 years, the wreck of HMS Coronation has lain undisturbed at the bottom of the English Channel. Despite the powerful currents that buffer the ancient warship, it has remained remarkably well preserved, offering a fascinating window into Britain's maritime history. But now Devon and Cornwall Police have launched an investigation after the wreck sustained damage because of illegal fishing equipment being attached to the site. Divers, who have been granted special permits to explore the ship, noticed a number of lobster pots tied to the fragile timbers. Some of the equipment had caused damage to the ship and marine archaeologists are currently assessing the extent of the destruction. Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police's rural affairs team have been investigating who was responsible for attaching the pots and are trying to educate local fishermen about the importance of preserving wreck sites. Police sergeant Julian Fry said: 'The South-West is home to 21 of the UK's 57 protected wrecks. 'It's so important for us, and those out on sea, to play our part in keeping these historic sites safe from any damage. 'We're urging the fishing community to avoid placing any fishing equipment near the HMS Coronation, and indeed any other protected wreck sites around the UK. 'Whilst we fully support the local fishing industry, preservation of these nationally important heritage sites is essential. 'We thank the fishing industry in advance for their co-operation.' Police are investigating the incident along with Historic England's maritime archaeologists and heritage crime experts. HMS Coronation was a second-rate ship of the line that was commissioned by King Charles II in 1677 and launched at Portsmouth in 1685. A Royal Navy flagship It was part of the '30-ship programme' intended to significantly bolster England's naval defences and firepower. The Coronation was the last ship of the programme to be completed as money and materials became scarce in the early 1680s. With a 660 sailors and 94 guns, HMS Coronation was the Royal Navy flagship in the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690. But in September 1691 as the ship patrolled the English Channel she got caught in a gale, foundered on the rocks at Penlee Point, and sank with the loss of around 600 souls. Part of the wreck was discovered by divers in 1967 with a larger section revealed ten years later. The area is preserved under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, which prohibits any activity that could cause damage, obscure or interfere with the site.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Investigation into 'damage' at historic wreck site
Police are investigating reports of fishing equipment illegally placed at a 334-year-old protected shipwreck which they said may have damaged the site off the south Cornish pots were found across the wreck site and diving trail near HMS Coronation which sank in 1691 with the loss of 600 sailors, Devon and Cornwall Police ship sank in a gale off Penlee Point, near Plymouth, and the wreck is protected from damage by Julian Fry, from the police rural affairs team, said: "We are urging the fishing community to avoid placing any fishing equipment near the HMS Coronation and indeed any other protected wreck sites around the UK." Cannons and anchors The investigation is part of Operation Birdie, a national initiative tackling illegal interference of historic wreck sites. Rural affairs police officers are working alongside Historic England's Maritime archaeologists and heritage crime specialists to investigate the Coronation lies in two parts, one inshore and one offshore, and artefacts including cannons and anchors survive, according to the Coronation Wreck said the 90-gun ship was launched in Portsmouth in 1685 and saw action in the Battle of Beachy Head against the French in to the HMS Coronation is through a licence scheme run by Historic England and the South West is home to 21 of the UK's 57 protected wrecks.
