Rules on shipwrecks clarified to preserve heritage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Treasures from the Stirling Castle, a 180ft man-of-war which sank in the Great Storm of 1703, went on display yesterday at the Maritime Museum in Ramsgate to mark the Government's new plan to save Britain's shipwrecks from destruction.
Treasures from the Stirling Castle, a 180ft man-of-war which sank in the Great Storm of 1703, went on display yesterday at the Maritime Museum in Ramsgate to mark the Government's new plan to save Britain's shipwrecks from destruction.
It is among 3,000 ships to have foundered in the Goodwin Sands in the English Channel - one of the greatest concentrations of wrecks in the world.
Among the pieces to go on display was a Rupertino gun and its carriage, designed in 1690 by Charles I's nephew Prince Rupert. Michael Cates, director of the museum, said the story of the Stirling Castle is typical of hundreds of thousands of wrecks around the British coastline - only 53 of which are protected and managed.
"Many of these ships are the archaeological equivalents to a small town. There were 3-400 people on board and everything that they needed to live. From thimbles to the wooden plates of the crew to the captain's pewter, it's all there. If you dug this sort of thing up in Berkshire it would be a World Heritage site," said Mr Cates.
It is a view shared by the Government and the Heritage minister Andrew McIntosh, as he announced proposals to clarify the "complex and unclear" rules on the discovery and ownership of finds.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments