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Project News

HLF Recording Historic Hamble - Final Report Released

The HLF Recording Maritime Archaeological Remains on the River Hamble project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has surveyed a large number of sites in and around the river. A large number of volunteers have been involved both in field survey and archive research. The impressive results have been brought together in the final project report which is now available to download.

Update

The Heritage Lottery funded ‘Recording Archaeological Remains on the River Hamble' project has meant a busy year working in and around the river margins. This grant has provided a substantial boost to the HWTMA's investigations of the river. The project aims to record archaeological sites and features, many of which are degrading, and to undertake research to assess their significance. This information will help with the long-term management and protection of our fragile maritime heritage. Key to the success of the project is the involvement of local volunteers who have been hands-on in all aspects including research, field survey and drawing up of results.

Since February our dedicated band of volunteers has been gradually growing. The HWTMA staff have led these willing participants in the survey of a large number of sites; the results from these visits has revealed some fascinating findings. Just a few examples of project highlights are included below:

Bunny Meadows Burnt Hulk Remains

Only the keel, part of the stern post and some collapsed structure now survive, however, from survey drawing and photographs diagnostic features have been identified. Two circular holes through the keel at both bow and stern indicate this vessel was a lifeboat. Research, which included gathering photographs of the Chatham Lifeboat Exhibition by Friends of the Trust, revealed that this vessel was a Barnett Class lifeboat. This site is showing just how much information can be gathered from seemingly insignificant remains.

Engaging Students

Links with the Centre for Maritime Archaeology at Southampton University have encouraged participation in the project. With guidance from the HWTMA staff three sites have been investigated by students: harbour installations at Hoe Moor Creek, the remains of a minesweeper at Bunny Meadows and the hulk of the Thames Barge Kimberley at Foulkes & Sons Yard. The site reports detailing the survey and research will form a section of the project archive in addition to being submitted as part of the students' Masters Degree qualification.

Revealing the Norseman

Local resident and archaeology student Keith Clark has dedicated himself to the survey and research of this vessel which lies on the Lower Swanwick foreshore. His highly successful investigations originally suggested that the Norseman was a top masted schooner built in 1847, employed in transporting potatoes from Poole to the River Hamble. However, the vessel had a much more flamboyant history. Evidence now suggests it was built in Brooklyn in 1881 and used as a racing yacht for multi-millionaire Ogden Goelet in New York. There is unconfirmed evidence that suggests that the interior of the vessel was originally fitted out by Tiffany's! Later in its career the Norseman was used as a nightclub during World War II before fire destroyed the upper parts of the vessel. Keith's investigations ave been extremely fruitful and demonstrate the potential of many of the hulks which lie in the inter-tidal area.

Increasing participation

In addition to survey and research the project has been involving other community groups to highlight the wealth and importance of the maritime archaeology of the river. This has included providing a guided walk to the Southampton Young Archaeologists Club and a school workshop to Bursledon Primary. Both of these events were highly successful with children being engaged and enthused, which lead to many difficult questions being posed to the archaeologists!

So what's next?

The intensive programme of field survey will continue this Autumn along side interviews with local residents to record their recollections of the hulks and further archive research. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved in this work, so please contact the HWTMA if you can help either in the field or with the less-muddy research. The project report will then be produced for spring 2008 and will be available from our website.

This project is helping to reinforce the importance of the maritime heritage of the River Hamble. Many of the often-uninspiring looking hulk remains are important heritage assets and it is vital to gain a record of these for present and future generations. With the help of our many volunteers this project is making and important contribution towards this.