Scuba Geek

Novice Scuba Diver and Fisherman find HMS Resolution May 30, 2006

Posted by Andy Carroll in : WreckDiving , trackback

Willy at Divester points us to this article in the Independent regarding the find of the HMS Resolution, a 17th Century wreck. The Resolution was 121ft long and weighed 885 tons, and was report to have sank in the legendary 120mph “perfect hurricane” that ripped across the south of England during the night of 26 November 1703.

“It was unbelievable,” said Paul Stratford, who first donned scuba gear just four years earlier. “We went down there expecting to get some fishing junk and found a huge anchor. Visibility was poor but we kept finding cannon after cannon. We have been fishing and then diving in this area since we were kids, so were astonished to find this in our bay. It feeds your imagination about what else might be down there.”

A preliminary survey at the site, nine metres below sea level, about one-and-a-half miles offshore in Pevensey Bay, found at least 45 guns and the timber hull. It identified the well-preserved remains of a large warship dating between 1600 and 1800 and “likely” to be the Resolution.