Since early 2018 we have continued our work in Sandwich Bay along with volunteers, local experts and the Nautical Archaeology Society. Together we have expanded our knowledge of the area and have created detailed records of ten of the wooden shipwreck sites and the aircraft crash site. We have created photogrammetric models of the sites, undertaken detailed total station and DGPS surveys and recorded key features of the wrecks. We now know that the wrecks are likely to be post-medieval in date and include different types of vessels including cargo vessels. We also think it’s likely that many of the wrecks, which sit with their bows facing the land, were deliberately beached suggesting that the site could be a ship’s graveyard.
Photogrammetry model showing the wreck of a possible cargo vessel by talented photogrammetry expert and Sandwich Bay volunteer, Christian Dalton
Details of the construction of one of the wrecks showing planking, frames and fastenings
The wrecks are only one part of the beach’s history and we have begun to build up detailed maps of other aspects of the intertidal heritage including over 800 data points showing the enigmatic post alignments which criss-cross the beach, some of which may be fish traps or wartime features.
The northern end of Sandwich Bay showing the majority of sites recorded
Close up of some of the possible fish traps
Our enthusiastic volunteers are keen to find out more about the heritage, and have been doing their own research. Find out about John’s quest to find the Juno here:
https://www.nauticalarchaeologysociety.org/volunteers-search-for-the-wreck-of-the-juno
Computer expert Paul has also been designing an app which allows everyone to access the records we have created for the sites in Sandwich Bay.
Winter storms will be on their way soon and we hope to visit the bay to see if more sites are exposed, or if known sites have revealed more of their secrets. Follow the project via our social media feeds. If you would like to volunteer on future fieldwork trips let us know by emailing sally@msdsmarine.co.uk
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who continue to give their time to help record the heritage of Sandwich Bay – it’s been wonderful to work with you all and we look forward to carrying on our work together!
Visiting the area
If you are interested in seeing the Sandwich Bay heritage for yourself the area can be accessed through Sandwich Bay village. There is a toll on the road (£7), and free car parking with toilets right next to the beach, near to Prince’s Golf Club. Visitors need to bear in mind that it is a residential area, so please take care. There are also a number of nature designations which apply to the bay and surrounding coast (the area is a nature reserve, SSSI, Ramsar site, amongst many others!) this is due to the important flora and fauna of the area, and the site is of international importance for its bird populations, so if you do visit please be mindful of the natural heritage too. Find out more about the natural heritage here:
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/sandwich-and-pegwell-bay
You can read more about the project in the following blogs: