This is a protected wreck site off West Prawle, Devon in position 50 12 41.76N 03 44 40.74W
There is a 300m exclusion zone
This site at Salcombe contains the remains of a 17th century armed trading ship whose origin has not been identified. The finds on the site are very unusual and seem to indicate a cargo from North African, however the other items are consistent with an origin in the Low Countries, probably Holland. This may provide evidence of trade connections with North Africa via the Low Countries or even represent an Islamic merchant ship, previously unknown in UK waters.
The artefacts date to the mid-17th century and we know that there was regular trade in gold from North Africa at this time. Only one piece of timber has been found on the site, though it is possible that more ship structure may be located.
A group of Bronze Age finds have also been located on the site. This is particularly important as its location is adjacent to the Bronze Age site of Moorsands. As these finds are from a different period, it would suggest more than one Bronze Age ship met its end here.
Just to add to the mystique of the site, thousands of bricks have been found and have been identified as coming from a ketch, the “Lord Napier” that sank in the area.
In April 1995 SWMAG did what most divers dream of – they found sunken treasure.
A dive planned in the Erme Estuary had been aborted due to the sea state and rather than abandon the weekend, the team decided to measure the cannon on the Salcombe Cannon Site; little did anyone know what would be discovered on this dive or where it would lead.
