Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust

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Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust
Formation2011
Legal status Charitable Trust
PurposeMaritime Archaeological research, fieldwork, conservation, education & training
Headquarters United Kingdom
Location
  • United Kingdom
Region served
Worldwide
Official language
English
Patron
 Baron Iliffe, Simon Jenkins, Maldwin Drummond
Website Thisismast.org
RemarksRegistered charity number 1140497

Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust (MAST) is a charitable trust founded in February 2011, [1] which focuses on investigations into the maritime heritage of the United Kingdom and further afield, through historical and archaeological investigations. MAST uses its profits from contract work as well as donations to fund its charitable aims.

Contents

Its stated objective is to advance the education of the public in maritime heritage, focusing in particular on maritime archaeological material. By such means as the directors in their discretion shall from time to time think fit including the preservation and investigation of shipwrecked vessels and of historically or otherwise valuable maritime material and the dissemination of the educationally useful results of such investigation to the general public. It does this by conducting archaeological surveys and excavations, conservation of material and publication of results. Clients include Historic England, the Ministry of Defence and the National Trust. [2]

MAST is also accredited to the Governing Bodies of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage [3] and is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant which is committed to honour and to support the Armed Forces community of the United Kingdom [4]

Projects

MAST takes a holistic approach to maritime archaeology covering a wide range of methods and environments including geophysics (both on land and sea), excavations, surveys, conservation and desk-based research.

HMS Invincible 1744

In July 2016 MAST received a £2 million grant for the rescue excavation, recovery, conservation and public display of material from the wreck of HMS Invincible (1747) with partners Bournemouth University, National Museum of the Royal Navy, Dan Pascoe of Pascoe Archaeological Services and Serving and ex-Service volunteers and the Community. [5]

Chancellor George Osborne said: "The wreck of the HMS Invincible is an invaluable part of the UK's proud maritime history and it is important we work to save as much as possible. This hugely worthwhile project will support military veterans, serving personnel and disadvantaged teenagers to learn new skills and put artefacts from the wreck on public display for the first time".

The site was first found in 1979 by Arthur Mack. John Bingeman subsequently led excavations between 1980-90 (Bingeman 2010). Dan Pascoe of Pascoe Archaeological Services took the reins in 2010, monitoring the increasingly vulnerable site, undertaking extensive survey work and raising artefacts at risk from destruction, work funded by Historic England. It was this that led Historic England to recognise the site's vulnerability.

Chatham Historic Dockyard holds a significant collection of HMS Invincible artefacts. Maritime archaeological material from the 18th century is poorly represented as a whole in the UK considering the amount of wrecks of this era off our coasts. The HMS Invincible 1744 Project will vastly increase our knowledge and understanding of this important era in shipbuilding and ship life. [6]

Esmeralda 1503

Following the discovery of a site consistent with an early 16th-century European wreck off Al-Hallaniyah in 1998, the Omani government, spearheaded by its Ministry of Heritage and Culture, agreed to initially to a reconnaissance expedition in 2013. David Mearns, director of Blue Water Recoveries, brought together a team of maritime archaeologists from MAST and Bournemouth University, geophysicists and other scientists in 2013 to conduct a reconnaissance survey of the site, 14 years after its initial discovery. The archaeology team, led by Associate Professor Dave Parham of Bournemouth University, was supported by MAST which co-funded the first expedition in 2013. There have two subsequent fieldwork seasons and fieldwork was completed in November 2015. [7] [8]

Royal Navy Loss List

As part of a team undertaking the 2001 UNESCO Convention Impact Review for the United Kingdom, MAST completed the Royal Navy Loss List, a major assessment of the international spread of UK sovereign wrecks.

The RN Loss List, from 1512-1947, is compiled from the volumes and websites listed below from the earliest known RN wreck. The assessment shows that there are over 4,700 Royal Naval wrecks scattered across the oceans of the world, covering the period between 1512 and 1945. [9] [10]

Coronation Geophysical Survey

A Geophysical Survey was conducted by MAST and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Maritime Archaeological Society (CISMAS) on the Coronation Protected Wreck Site. Promare UK was sub-contracted to conduct the magnetometer survey and Swathe Services to conduct a multibeam survey producing a site plan of geo-referenced targets of both designated sites and the Intermediate area.

The Coronation was a 90-gun second rate, built in 1685 by Isaac Betts at Portsmouth dockyard as one of the 1677 thirty-ships programme. On 3 September 1691 after patrolling for the French fleet, the English Fleet made for Plymouth. The Coronation foundered in a strong south easterly gale whilst trying to round Penlee Point with a loss of all but 13 of her crew, including the captain, Charles Skelton.

The Coronation Protected wreck site consists of two designated areas: Inshore (designated 1988) & Offshore (designated 1978). The area in between these two protected sites is known as the "Intermediate" site wherein lies an unverified scatter of archaeological material. [11]

Bamburgh Castle Beach Wreck

A rarely seen portion of an unknown wreck within the intertidal zone of Bamburgh Castle Beach was reported to MAST by Steve Brown, a PADI Basic Archaeological Diver (BAD) Instructor and local historian. MAST has conducted two preliminary surveys of the site in 2013 to establish the extent of the site and how much remains under the sand. [12]

The survival and position of some of the features within the wreck would suggest that the buried structure could be mostly intact as the position of hull structure, deck beams, masts and even deck fittings are all as would be expected from a mostly intact buried vessel.

Dendrochronological samples were taken as part of this survey to try and establish the date and origin of the vessel. [13]

The site is now protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Swash Channel Wreck Artefacts

MAST has donated funds to conserve three of the carvings from the Swash Channel Wreck as well as a canister

They were raised in August 2010. The two carvings were found directly above the gunports in the bowcastle and are in extremely good condition. They bring the number of carvings found on the site to five.

The work will be done by the York Archaeological Trust. Once conserved you will be able to see the artefacts up close at Poole Museum. [14] [15] [16]

MoD wrecks

MAST, in partnership with Bournemouth University, won a Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract to assess the environmental and safety risks posed by the tankers RFA Creosol (1916), RFA War Mehtar (1919) and the escort carrier HMS Dasher (D37). This assessment includes research into the history of the wreck and its cargo/contents.

The ships fall into two broad groups, purpose-built tankers and an escort aircraft carrier converted from a merchant ship. The first two are relatively simple vessels and the third a much more complex vessel that is likely to be complicated by its conversion and change of use and reuse. [17]

Not for Profit

MAST has conducted two major charity events off Plymouth Sound. One in 2012 and one in 2013. In September 2012 MAST raised £6,000 to raise awareness for maritime heritage in the UK and for the RNLI's Plymouth branch. [18]

In August 2013, MAST raised money again to raise awareness for the need to protect UK maritime heritage but also for the charity Battle Back which received £2,000 towards helping injured Service personnel in their rehabilitation. [19]

Diving Speciality

In 2012 MAST created a PADI Distinctive Specialty called Basic Archaeological Diver, a no frills, no fuss introduction to the basics of archaeology underwater with simple recording techniques using little more than a camera and tape measures. The course is now also a Scuba Schools International accredited course and is recognised by British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC). The course is an introduction to the basics includes a lecture on the laws governing divers and underwater archaeology in the UK. [20]

Related Research Articles

HMS <i>Colossus</i> (1787) 1787 ship of the line of the Royal Navy

HMS Colossus was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was launched at Gravesend on 4 April 1787 and lost on 10 December 1798. During her years of service she participated in the Battle of Groix, the Battle of Cape St Vincent, and the Battle of the Nile. While carrying wounded from the latter, she was wrecked at the Isles of Scilly. The wreck is a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England.

HMS <i>Invincible</i> (1747) Ship of the line of the Royal Navy

Invincible was originally a 74-gun ship of the line of the French Navy launched in October 1744. Captured on 14 May 1747, she was taken into Royal Navy service as the third rate HMS Invincible. She was wrecked in 1758 after hitting a sandbank. The wreck is a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England.

HMS <i>Association</i> (1697) British Royal Navy warship

Association was a 90-gun second-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Portsmouth Dockyard in 1697. She served with distinction at the capture of Gibraltar, and was lost in 1707 by grounding on the Isles of Scilly in the greatest maritime disaster of the age. The wreck is a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England.

Nautical Archaeology Society British organisation to further research in nautical archaeology for the public benefit

The Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) is a charity registered in England and Wales and in Scotland and is a company limited by guarantee.

Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 UK legislation on conservation of shipwrecks

The Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which provides protection for designated shipwrecks.

Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 UK legislation protecting wreckage of military ships and aircraft

The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom which provides protection for the wreckage of military aircraft and designated military vessels. The Act provides for two types of protection: protected places and controlled sites. Military aircraft are automatically protected but vessels have to be specifically designated. The primary reason for designation is to protect as a 'war grave' the last resting place of British servicemen ; however, the Act does not require the loss of the vessel to have occurred during war.

Mensun Bound British marine archaeologist

Mensun Bound is a British maritime archaeologist born in Stanley, Falkland Islands. He is best known for directing the excavation of the Etruscan 6th-century BC shipwreck off Giglio Island, Italy, the oldest known shipwreck of the Archaic era, and the Hoi An Cargo which revolutionized the understanding of Ming-Vietnamese porcelain from Vietnam's art-historical Golden Age.

Cattewater Wreck is a wooden three-masted, skeleton-built vessel, one of many ships that have wrecked in Cattewater, Plymouth Sound, England. This wreck is close to the entrance of Sutton Harbour, its name is still unknown but it is believed to be from the 16th Century. It is a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England.

Archaeology Discover Centre

The Archaeology Discover Centre was a museum located in Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight, England.

The Mary Rose Trust is a limited charitable trust based in Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. Its primary aims are to preserve, display and spread knowledge about the 16th century warship Mary Rose which sank in the Solent on 19 July 1545 and was salvaged by the Trust in October 1982.

The Swash Channel Wreck is the remains of an early 17th-century armed merchantman possibly of Dutch origin wrecked outside of Poole Harbour. The vessel was approximately 40 m long and has been predicted to be around 600 tonnes. The ship was probably involved with the beginning of internationalization.

Site Recorder is a geographical information system (GIS) and information management system (IMS) designed for use in maritime, freshwater and intertidal archaeology. Site Recorder can be used on maritime and intertidal archaeology projects for real-time data collection, decision support, publication, archiving and data migration. The program is designed for use by archaeologists rather than GIS experts.

HMS Brazen was the French privateer Invincible General Bonaparte, which the British captured in 1798. She is best known for her wreck in January 1800 in which all but one of her crew drowned.

The Maritime Archaeology Trust is a charitable trust that researches and excavates maritime archaeology and heritage in Great Britain. Historically, their core activities were focused around Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Solent, but now they work in other parts of the country and on international projects.

<i>Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976</i> Australian legislation

The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 was an Australian Act of Parliament designed to legally protect historic shipwrecks and any relics or artefacts from those wrecks. The Act automatically affects all shipwrecks that meet the "historic" criteria and are in Australian Commonwealth waters : complementary state and territory legislation protects shipwrecks in state and territory waters including rivers and bays. Of the estimated 8,000 shipwrecks in Australian waters, more than 6,500 are protected under this legislation.

David Moore is an American archaeologist and historian. He is best known for his work on the Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge Shipwreck Project. The Queen Anne's Revenge was the flagship of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. He used her for less than a year, but she was an effective tool in his prize-taking.

Innes McCartney British nautical archaeologist

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The Society for Underwater Historical Research (SUHR) was an amateur maritime archaeology organisation operating in South Australia (SA). It was formed in 1974 by recreational scuba divers and other persons to pursue an interest in maritime archaeology and maritime history. The SUHR was renamed as the South Australian Archaeology Society in March 2012 as part of a plan to expand its activities beyond maritime archaeology to include other archaeological disciplines.

Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS) is a Provincial Heritage Organization in Ontario, Canada. SOS is a public charitable organization which operates through Local Chapter Committees supported by a Provincial Board of Directors and Provincial Executive.

References

  1. ↑ "Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust". Thisismast.org. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "North and South Sands canoe trail, Salcombe". National Trust. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "Accredited Non-Governmental Organisations". UNESCO. 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  4. ↑ "The Armed Forces Corporate Covenant" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "LIBOR fines to be used to support military charities and Royal Voluntary Service". HM Treasury. 12 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Command of the Oceans".
  7. ↑ Mearns, David; Parham, Dave; Frolich, Bruno (14 March 2016). "A Portuguese East Indiaman from the 1502–1503 Fleet of Vasco da Gama off Al Hallaniyah Island, Oman: an interim report" (PDF). International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. 46 (2): 331–350. doi: 10.1111/1095-9270.12175 .
  8. ↑ "Vasco da Gama shipwreck history following find of Esmeralda Shipwreck off Oman coast".
  9. ↑ "Research guide B3: The Royal Navy: Sources for enquiries". 11 June 2002.
  10. ↑ "Heritage for Peace Education Initiative | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization". www.unesco.org. Archived from the original on 22 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ↑ "Shipwreck offers unique opportunity for study". Northumberland Gazette. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust : Swash Channel Wreck Artefacts". Thisismast.org. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "UK Minister For Culture Ed Vaizey Visits The York Archaeology Trust To View Marine Artefacts | Scubaverse | The World's Best Online Dive Companion". Scubaverse. 20 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "BBC News - Poole Swash Channel Wreck: Raising the rudder". BBC News. Bbc.co.uk. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  17. ↑ "MoD wrecks". Thisismast.org. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Plymouth RNLI receives £1,000 donation". Rnli.org. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Herald, Plymouth (17 August 2013). "Divers delving deep to help injured heroes". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  20. ↑ Dive Training (5 August 2013). "An Introduction to the PADI Distinctive Specialty B.A.D. (Basic Archaeological Diver) | Scubaverse | The World's Best Online Dive Companion". Scubaverse. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
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