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Monday, 25 September 2006
Government news:
Culture Minister David Lammy has announced the re-designation of the wreck site of the St Anthony, located off Gunwalloe Fishing Cove, Cornwall. This will ensure that the whole of the St Anthony wreck site will now be protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
The St Anthony was a Portuguese merchant vessel and sailed as the flagship of a fleet bound from Flanders. She sank in 1527 in a storm described, in contemporary evidence, as a great and urgent tempest of winds and weather.
She went down with a mixed cargo including copper and silver ingots and, it is believed, the dowry of Princess Katherine, bride of King John of Portugal and sister of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. The cargo manifest still survives.
Violent disagreements between survivors and local people over salvage from the wreck are extremely well documented, which adds to the historical context of the site.
The St Anthony wreck site was discovered in 1981 and designated the following year. However DCMS' archaeological contractor reported in May 2005 that wreck material lay beyond the current designated area and that archaeological objects associated with the site remain vulnerable to interference. Consequently, English Heritage has recommended on the basis of available information that the restricted area surrounding the site be altered to ensure protection of the entire site.
Culture Minister, David Lammy said: "Shipwrecks from this era are extremely rare, and are wonderful examples of our - and the world's - maritime heritage. It is absolutely right that we make every effort to treasure and preserve them. I am pleased that the wreck of the St Anthony will continue to be protected and the remaining artefacts preserved for the benefit of future generations."
Editors note:
The Secretary of State has power under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 to designate wreck sites which she is satisfied ought to be protected from unauthorised interference on account of their archaeological, historical or artistic importance. Before making a designation order, the Secretary of State is required to consult with appropriate persons (unless she is satisfied that the order should be made as a matter of immediate urgency). Once designated, it is a criminal offence for a person to interfere with the site except under the authority of a licence.
There are 58 historic wreck sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 in UK territorial waters.
English Heritage is the Government's advisor on all aspects of the historic environment in England. The National Heritage Act (2002) enabled English Heritage to assume responsibilities for maritime archaeological sites of all types from low water out to the 12 nautical mile (nm) territorial limit around England. The 2002 Act also allows the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport to direct English Heritage to undertake functions relating to the Advisory Committee for Historic Wreck Sites and the archaeological diving contract. Accordingly, English Heritage has statutory responsibility for the physical management of 43 historic wreck sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
In May 2005, DCMS' archaeological contractor reported that wreck material from the St Anthony site lies beyond the current restricted area, and is unprotected. Based on the information available, the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites recommended that the centre of the restricted area around the site be moved to the south east of its present position and the radius of the area be increased to 150 metres by means of an emergency re-designation. The new designated area will protect the entire known site.
Last Updated ( Monday, 25 September 2006 )
Government news:
Culture Minister David Lammy has announced the re-designation of the wreck site of the St Anthony, located off Gunwalloe Fishing Cove, Cornwall. This will ensure that the whole of the St Anthony wreck site will now be protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
The St Anthony was a Portuguese merchant vessel and sailed as the flagship of a fleet bound from Flanders. She sank in 1527 in a storm described, in contemporary evidence, as a great and urgent tempest of winds and weather.
She went down with a mixed cargo including copper and silver ingots and, it is believed, the dowry of Princess Katherine, bride of King John of Portugal and sister of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. The cargo manifest still survives.
Violent disagreements between survivors and local people over salvage from the wreck are extremely well documented, which adds to the historical context of the site.
The St Anthony wreck site was discovered in 1981 and designated the following year. However DCMS' archaeological contractor reported in May 2005 that wreck material lay beyond the current designated area and that archaeological objects associated with the site remain vulnerable to interference. Consequently, English Heritage has recommended on the basis of available information that the restricted area surrounding the site be altered to ensure protection of the entire site.
Culture Minister, David Lammy said: "Shipwrecks from this era are extremely rare, and are wonderful examples of our - and the world's - maritime heritage. It is absolutely right that we make every effort to treasure and preserve them. I am pleased that the wreck of the St Anthony will continue to be protected and the remaining artefacts preserved for the benefit of future generations."
Editors note:
The Secretary of State has power under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 to designate wreck sites which she is satisfied ought to be protected from unauthorised interference on account of their archaeological, historical or artistic importance. Before making a designation order, the Secretary of State is required to consult with appropriate persons (unless she is satisfied that the order should be made as a matter of immediate urgency). Once designated, it is a criminal offence for a person to interfere with the site except under the authority of a licence.
There are 58 historic wreck sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 in UK territorial waters.
English Heritage is the Government's advisor on all aspects of the historic environment in England. The National Heritage Act (2002) enabled English Heritage to assume responsibilities for maritime archaeological sites of all types from low water out to the 12 nautical mile (nm) territorial limit around England. The 2002 Act also allows the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport to direct English Heritage to undertake functions relating to the Advisory Committee for Historic Wreck Sites and the archaeological diving contract. Accordingly, English Heritage has statutory responsibility for the physical management of 43 historic wreck sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
In May 2005, DCMS' archaeological contractor reported that wreck material from the St Anthony site lies beyond the current restricted area, and is unprotected. Based on the information available, the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites recommended that the centre of the restricted area around the site be moved to the south east of its present position and the radius of the area be increased to 150 metres by means of an emergency re-designation. The new designated area will protect the entire known site.
Last Updated ( Monday, 25 September 2006 )
