Historic Shipwreck Discovered Off Wexford Coast
A fascinating find has emerged from the depths of the sea—a team of underwater archaeologists believes they’ve identified a lost British ship from the 18th century. Edmund Obirn, a marine specialist, shared with Penn News that this shipwreck, likely the Recovery, sank off the coast of Wexford, Ireland, back in 1787.
This vessel carried various treasures, including an impressive cargo of marble and bronze. Notably, James Caulfield, the Earl of Charlemont, had amassed these valued items during his travels across Europe.
However, the ship was doomed to sink 85 miles south of Dublin, just after a stop in London, having begun its journey from Italy.
Tragedy struck, as six individuals—including the captain and his two sons—perished in this disaster. Over time, the wreck faded from memory until researchers began exploring the area.
In a recent talk with Penn News, Obirn recounted how his side-scan sonar detected something curious on the seabed. “At first, I thought it was a torpedo, the image was a bit distorted from the sonar,” he mentioned.
Upon further inspection, it became clear that what they found was a copper sheath, as copper was utilized by the Royal Navy to safeguard wooden ships from pests during that century.
Obirn vividly recalled discovering a 20-foot-long rudder, also coated in copper, which ultimately confirmed the ship’s identity. Originally built in Chester in 1773, the ship was one of about 200 in the British merchant fleet at that time.
Interestingly, other findings included anchors, wooden structures, and artifacts like teapots and inkwells. Various discoveries even hinted at how the vessel met its demise, with the rudder positioned approximately 800 feet from the rest of the wreck.
In explaining how the ship likely sank, Obirn noted that after maneuvering around Khansole Point, it probably entered shallower waters, which affected the rudder and stern. “The ship was at the mercy of the sea,” he stated, again highlighting the unpredictable nature of maritime travel.
This ship’s rudder, unique for its copper coverage, may be the only one of its kind ever uncovered from that era, as Obirn pointed out. “No one can confirm a similar find from that time,” he observed.
While the full worth of the ship’s cargo remains uncertain, given the historical significance and former monetary value of items owned by La Touche—a prominent Irish banker—the potential treasures could still be in relatively good shape at a depth of 65 feet.
As the team monitors the wreck, changes in the sand may reveal even more hidden treasures in the future.
Meanwhile, interest in shipwrecks continues to grow; just earlier this year, another centuries-old vessel surfaced from under an old Spanish fish market, while a 19th-century tugboat was recently found in Lake Michigan.
