Urgent effort to uncover a 3-century-old submarine battle relic, fearing its imminent vanishing
The Northumberland, a 70-gun warship built in 1679 in Bristol, England, is currently under the spotlight as maritime archaeologists race against time to record its details before it is buried again. This exceptionally well-preserved 18th-century wooden warship, discovered in 1979 and designated a Protected Wreck Site since 1981, lies 15-20 meters deep off the coast of Kent, England.
Over the years, the Northumberland has been exposed and reburied several times due to shifting sands, causing it to be dispersed over a large area. Last summer, around two-thirds of the warship were exposed, allowing archaeologists to conduct a deep-sea exploration.
The detailed survey of the Northumberland revealed an extensive hull structure, multiple iron cannons, swords, muskets, copper cauldrons, and some sealed chests. The contents of these chests remain unknown.
Historic England has expressed concern about the current condition of the Northumberland, stating that it is in a fragile and deteriorating state due to shifting sands, strong currents, and wood-boring creatures that could cause it to degrade quickly.
Maritime archaeologists are planning more geophysical surveys to make the most of the current window before the Northumberland is buried again or begins to degrade due to exposure. The focus is on detailed archaeological investigation, including taking wood samples for dendrochronological (tree ring) analysis to better understand the ship’s construction and confirm its identity.
The Northumberland, built halfway between the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, can fill in crucial details of shipbuilding and life at sea during a pivotal moment in history. Historian Dan Snow has compared the Northumberland to the Mary Rose and HMS Victory, stating it is "THE missing link" and a "Stuart time capsule" that can sit alongside the Mary Rose.
A history film titled Shipwreck Northumberland and the Great Storm was released on July 31, 2025, aimed at raising awareness and sharing the latest discoveries about the shipwreck. The film, made by historian Dan Snow for his streaming service History Hit, offers a unique opportunity to delve into the history of this remarkable warship.
In summary, the Northumberland wreck is a fragile but extraordinarily informative site under continuous protection and study, with plans for further scientific sampling and documentation as natural conditions expose more of the wreck over time. The race is on to uncover the secrets of this Stuart time capsule before it is lost to the sands of time once more.
[1] Historic England. (n.d.). Northumberland. Retrieved from https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1010139 [2] Dan Snow's History Hit. (2021, July 31). Shipwreck Northumberland and the Great Storm. Retrieved from https://www.historyhit.com/watch-online/shipwreck-northumberland-and-the-great-storm/ [4] The Guardian. (2018, June 15). The Northumberland: the 18th-century warship that was the missing link. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/jun/15/the-northumberland-the-18th-century-warship-that-was-the-missing-link
[1] In the realm of archaeology, maritime scientists are racing against time to record the details of the Northumberland, a 70-gun warship from the era of sports and science, before it succumbs to another burial.
[2] The discoveries within the sealed chests, which remain unknown, hold the potential to enrich our understanding of this historic vessel, much like how unearthing artifacts from an archaeological site sheds light on our past.
