A long-failed 18th century warship has resurfaced after a storm struck the Orkney Islands
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Long lost warships connected to The American Revolution Thanks to a storm of timing, it has resurfaced from an island in Scotland. And it tells a “engaging story,” officials said.
The wreckage was first discovered by a male student in February 2024. He noticed the ruins after the storm wiped out the sand at Sundai beach, one of Scotland’s remote Orkney Islands.
After more than a year of research by historians and local residents, Wessex Archeology recently identified it as Count Chatham. A warship from the 18th century. The group shared the news on their Facebook post and their website.
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The ship was built in 1749 in Chichester, England. Crossing the Atlantic Oceanfrom Canada to Greenland.
The Earl of Chatham, an 18th century British warship, has resurfaced on Sandai Island, one of Scotland’s remote Orkney Islands. (Wessex Archeology via AP)
The ship was used as a convoy escort by the British during the American Revolution before it was sold to Whale Hunter in 1784, the report says. Whale oil, an essential fuel source in it Industrial Revolution, It was much wanted at the time.
In 1788, the ship ended during periods of bad weather near Sundai, but all 56 crew survived.
“A considerable number of people are really interested in it and are becoming experts.”
Ben Saunders, a senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archeology, told The Associated Press (AP) that an exclusion process is required for identification.
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“We’ve removed the ones of Northern Europe, as opposed to the British, and removed the wreckage that are too small or manipulated in the northern part of England, and really down to two or three… and Count Chatham is the last left,” he said.
A male student discovered the remains on the beach. There, the storm revealed the wooden ribs of the ship where it was buried. (Fionn McArthur/Wessex Archeology via AP)
The 500-person Sandai community was thrilled with the discovery.
The island has been a site of about 270 shipwrecks since the 1400s.
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Local farmers were immediately involved Archaeological efforts.
They used tractors and trailers to carry about 12 tons of oak from the beach.
“I consider it a lucky ship. This is strange to say about a shipwrecked ship.”
Sylvia Thorne, one of the island’s community researchers, called the effort “really fun.”
“It was a really good feeling about the community. Everyone is coming together to get it back,” she said.
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“A considerable number of people are really interested in it and are becoming experts.”
Due to community efforts, Sanders said he saw the ship as “lucky” along with the fact that the crew was not dead.
“I consider it a lucky ship, which is odd about a shipwreck,” said Ben Sanders, a senior Marine archaeologist who saw it here. (Fionn McArthur/Wessex Archeology via AP)
“I would consider it a lucky ship. This is strange to say about a shipwrecked,” Sanders said.
“If it had been discovered in many other places, I don’t think they would have necessarily had that community drive, a desire to restore and study that material, and a community spirit that would do that.”
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“Incredible. Great job,” he commented to readers about their research efforts on the group’s Facebook page.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.