Mystery Wreck
Background
The ‘Mystery Wreck' is the remains of an unidentified wooden shipwreck that lies within a licensed dredging area in the Eastern Solent. The wreck was discovered in 2003 when a fisherman snagged his nets on an obstruction and an exclusion zone has now been provided for its protection. Since then, the HWTMA have been investigating the site as part of the ongoing SOLMAP project. This has confirmed the location of a substantial wooden shipwreck lying exposed, just off the south-eastern edge of the Horse Tail Sands (part of the larger Horse and Dean Sands). The Horse Tail Sands is one of several treacherous sandbanks in the Solent and has been responsible for the grounding and wrecking of ships throughout history. Throughout the project the aggregates industry has continued to be involved. In particular, considerable support and input has been received from United Marine Dredging (UMD).
The wreck remains can be divided into three areas; a western section of hull remains, a second (eastern) section of hull remains some 23m to the east and a central area of scattered remains mainly comprising concreted elements and further wooden remains. In the course of the work conducted by HWTMA there has been continual degradation of the site in addition to the ongoing exposure of new timbers. Monitoring the sediment loss on the site and the associated exposure of new timber (as well as the loss of already recorded structure) have been important components of the project since its inception.
In 2009 it was recognized that there was an urgent need to investigate the date and identity of the vessel in order to determine its archaeological significance and to develop sustainable long-term monitoring and management of the site. To facilitate this, funding from the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund, distributed by English Heritage was awarded to the project.
Dating the Mystery Wreck
The possible date of the vessel was initially thought to be late 18th to mid-19th century. The presence of metal hull sheathing in combination with iron knees for reinforcement pointed to this period. Analysis of the metal remains has allowed this date to be further refined. The hull sheathing and many of the metal fittings were made from Muntz Metal (yellow brass) a type of copper alloy. As such, the date of the wrecking must have been after 1832 when the use of hull sheathing made from Muntz Metal was introduced. Analysis of metal remains also highlighted the fact that there were no features in the composition of these remains that indicate a 20th century date. The Mystery Wreck must therefore have sunk between 1832 and the end of the 19th century.