Current Investigations
In July 2010 side scan sonar was used to investigate the seabed around the recorded position for the Caduceus and divers were deployed to investigate anomalies. Caduceus was identified by capturing an image of disturbance on the seafloor on the side scan sonar.
A photographic and video survey took place; measurements were taken for production of a basic site plan; and an accurate DGPS position was gained for the site. The survey was undertaken as part of the Eastern Solent Diving supported by the Archaeological Atlas of the 2 Seas project. The survey of the site enabled the identification and recording of vulnerable elements with particular emphasis on the condition of exposed material. Several dives were spent on producing a site plan to gain understanding of the spread of material over the site in relation to the potential orientation of the vessel remains and the impacts of the wrecking process.
Measured plan of the Caduceus site
The wreck of the Caduceus was reported to have shown, ribs, keel, bolts timbers and an upstanding galvanised iron tank in the 1980's. During the dives in the season of 2010 no upstanding features were registered. However, what are believed to be the remains of the tank can still be seen in the southern part of the site. The keel was not located neither was the rudderpost, or the decks. Overall the extent of the site was measured to 30m by 30m, which is also the extent visible on the side scan sonar image.
Galvanised iron tank on the Caduceus site (copyright HWTMA / Rowland Brookes)
The area is covered with iron frames and various fragments of ship structure. The orientation of the wreck is not clear from the remains visible, though McKee believed the wreck lied with the bow to the north. A great deal of the visible structural features were measured and recorded on a site plan. In total 23 datum tags were installed on the site and their position recorded in relation to each other and indicated on the site plan. These will be used to facilitate the monitoring of the site in the future.
Two wooden frames were located under a thin layer of sand. The two frames are in good condition and their full length measured respectively 1.5 by 0.39m and 1.4 by 0.20 m. Both of them have wooden 30mm diameter tree nails still attached.
Wooden frame from Caduceus
As no excavation was undertaken during the dives no further frames were located but it is likely that more material is buried under the sandy top layer.
During the survey a number of artefacts were recovered from the site to help identify the wreck and facilitate further research. These finds included 5 fastenings; 1 two-part copper alloy plate, possibly part of a pump assembly; 1 nail; 1 hinge; 1 piece of sheathing and 1 wedge shaped copper alloy plate. The fastenings were found spread over the wreck site area, eight to ten larger fastenings were observed of which five were recovered. A number of the fastenings had fragments of the wooden frame still attached. The piece of sheathing is likely to be yellow metal, also referred to as Muntz metal. The copper sheathing was fastened to the hull with small nails, one of which was found during the survey. Metal analysis will be undertaken on these artefacts in early 2011.
The hinge, two part copper alloy plate and wedge shaped copper alloy plate will not be analysed whilst attempts to identify them are ongoing.