Dives Reveal Stuart-Era Warship in Remarkable Condition

New dives funded by Historic England have revealed that the wreck of the 18th-century warship Northumberland, lost during the Great Storm of 1703, is far more intact than previously thought. The wreck, a Protected Site since 1981, lies in shallow waters off the Kent coast and is now confirmed to include multiple wooden decks, intact chests, and coils of rope—rare organic materials that have survived three centuries thanks to burial under seabed sediments.

A Stuart warship rediscovered

Built in 1679 in Bristol, Northumberland was a Third Rate 70-gun ship of the line and part of Queen Anne’s navy. It sank with three other warships in treacherous conditions on the Goodwin Sands. While her identity has long been known, new dives led by MSDS Marine and site licensee Dan Pascoe show that extensive hull structure, gun carriages, and a large number of cannons remain preserved on site.

Exceptional finds

The survey confirmed at least thirteen iron cannons and numerous wooden chests—some with musket balls, others still sealed. Other artefacts include a gun carriage, swords, muskets, and copper cauldrons. Remarkably, coils of rope have also survived, lying exposed on intact wooden planks.

Heritage at risk

Though long buried, the wreck is now being exposed by shifting sands, leaving its organic material vulnerable to currents, chemical breakdown and marine borers. It has been listed on the Heritage at Risk Register since 2017.

Monitoring and outreach

The site is monitored by Pascoe and Historic England as part of their work safeguarding England’s 57 Protected Wreck Sites. A new film by Dan Snow’s History Hit explores the wreck’s significance and public value, calling it a "Stuart time capsule" that fills the gap between the Mary Rose and HMS Victory.

Expert support

Paul Jeffery of Historic England called the wreck's preservation "remarkable," adding, "it is a race against time as more of it becomes exposed." Dan Pascoe noted the challenge of its location: "At 20 metres deep and 9 miles offshore, it remains out of sight and mind."