The wreck of a mysterious boat has been seen for the first time after fierce winds shifted the sand it was buried in.
The wreck is situated just off a beach in the shadow of the mighty Bamburgh Castle in the far north of England and it first appeared in June.
Since then a team of archaeologists has been studying its timber to try and find out more about the vessel - and tests have now revealed the wood used to build the ship was felled in around 1768.
The survey also established that the timber originates from eastern England, making the ship British.
Jessica Berry, CEO of the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust, which has been researching the wreck, said: ‘When we first heard the wreck had emerged from the sands, we were up there the next day.
‘We sat on the beach waiting for the tide to go out. At that point we did not know precisely what it was. As it appeared in front of us, it was the most incredible sight.’
It is thought that the ship could have sailed along the East Coast while Dr John Sharp - recognised as being the world's first coastguard - lived in the castle.
Mysterious remains of boat seen for first time after fierce storms shift sand below castle and expose 200-year-old shipwreck
Wreck is only visible for around a few hours a day either side of low water
First appeared in June in shadow of Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland
Archaeologists studying timber to try and find out more about the vessel
Tests now reveal wood used to build the ship was felled in around 1768
By Mark Duell
11 November 2013
Daily Mail
Daily Mail
A mystery shipwreck has been uncovered after fierce storms shifted the sands which had buried it for hundreds of years.
The wreck is only visible for around a few hours a day either side of low water in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland - and first appeared in June.
Since then a team of archaeologists has been studying its timber to try and find out more about the vessel - and tests have now revealed the wood used to build the ship was felled in around 1768.
Underwater: The mystery shipwreck is only visible for around a few hours a day either side of low water
Unusual sight: The wreck lies in the shadow of Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and first appeared in June
Submerged: A team of archaeologists has been studying its timber to try and find out more about the vessel
Dated: Tests have now revealed the wood used to build the mystery ship was felled in around 1768
Built here: A survey found that the ship's timber originates from eastern England, making the ship British
Discovered: A report was conducted on the wreck before funding was secured to undertake further tests
The survey also established that the timber originates from eastern England, making the ship British.
Jessica Berry, CEO of the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust, which has been researching the wreck, said: ‘When we first heard the wreck had emerged from the sands, we were up there the next day.
‘We sat on the beach waiting for the tide to go out. At that point we did not know precisely what it was. As it appeared in front of us, it was the most incredible sight.’
MAST conducted a report on the wreck before funding was secured to undertake further tests. Ms Berry added: ‘It has been very exciting to discover that the ship is earlier than we first thought.’
The wreck - which was first uncovered by storms last winter - lies on Bamburgh beach, in the shadow of the castle which dates back to the sixth century.
It is thought that the ship could have sailed along the East Coast while Dr John Sharp - recognised as being the world's first coastguard - lived in the castle.
In the distance: Survey work to establish the age and origins of the wreck, which lies in the intertidal zone to the south of Bamburgh Castle, was undertaken by researchers
Finding out more: It is thought that the ship could have sailed along the East Coast while Dr John Sharp - recognised as being the world's first coastguard - lived in the castle
Aid: Survey work on the ship was done with the help of a grant from the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership's Sustainable Development Fund
Uncovered: Storms shifted the sands which had buried it for hundreds of years off the Northumberland coast
Lookout: Bamburgh Castle (file picture) is on the Northumberland coast, just south of the border with Scotland
On the map: Bamburgh beach is located in the shadow of the castle which dates back to the sixth century
Dr Sharp was so concerned for sailors in the treacherous waters around Bamburgh that in 1781 he set up what is recognised as the first coastguard system in the world.
Determined to make safe the perilous seas at Bamburgh, Dr Sharp created a pioneering coastguard system which made use of Bamburgh's commanding position above the coastline.
He turned the castle into a coastguard station, and set up a watch system and beach patrols. Massive iron chains were kept at the ready to haul floundering ships to safety.
Later, in 1786, Dr Sharp launched the world's first ever lifeboat at Bamburgh.
The first coastguard at Bamburgh not only warned ships of the coastline - it also provided refuge at the castle for shipwrecked sailors, stored their cargo and buried the dead.
Survey work to establish the age and origins of the wreck, which lies in the intertidal zone to the south of Bamburgh Castle, was undertaken by MAST, with local archaeologists and volunteers.
It was done with the help of a grant from the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership's Sustainable Development Fund.
WRECKS OFF NORTHUMBERLAND
Forfarshire (built in 1834): Some 42 of the 60 crew and passengers on board died when it began to sink in 1838, but nine escaped in a lifeboat and nine more were saved. Two days later the ship wrecked on Big Harcar Rock near the Farne Islands
SS Abessinia (1900): Sunk in 1921 after hitting Knivestone Rock in the Farne Islands
HMS Ascot (1916): The last British warship to be lost in the First World War, it was torpedoed by UB67 off the Farne Isles in 1918 - on the day before the conflict ended
HMS G11 (1916): Royal Navy G-class submarine ran aground off Howick in Northumberland in 1918 shortly after the war had finished
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