Bournemouth University experts solve 30 year old shipwreck mystery
The 'Pin Wreck' was found off the coast of Swanage
The identity of a shipwreck, found over thirty years ago in the waters off Swanage, has finally been revealed.
Maritime archaeologists from Bournemouth University have concluded it's an Admiralty mooring lighter built in 1866.
It's thought to have sunk in rough weather in 1903 while being towed to Portland from Portsmouth Dockyard.
The 'Pin Wreck' as it's called, is named after hundreds of metal bolts which lie around it and was discovered off the coast of St Albans Head in 1990.
It is about 24 metres long, constructed of wood with yellow metal sheathings and lies at a depth of around 27 metres.
The team that's been uncovering the mystery has now applied for the wreck to be designated as a protected site.
Dave Parham, Professor of Maritime Archaeology at Bournemouth University who has led the investigation, said:
“This is a rare example of a type of service vessel which was essential for maintaining the operations of Britain’s ports in the nineteenth century, so it is vital that we preserve it.
“Its identity has remained a mystery for three decades but what we observed on our dive meant we could find the clues that could reveal the secrets of the wreck and understand how it ended up on the seabed.
“The materials the vessel is made from suggest a high-quality build, possibly linked to a Royal dockyard. The fact it appears to have been lost in service and was carrying substantial haulage equipment means it could offer valuable insight into the role these craft played in our maritime history.”