For the Maritime Archaeology Trust's Metal-Hulled Sailing Vessels project, generously funded by Historic England, volunteers are investigating the potential and significance of the collection of metal-hulled  sailing vessels located within English territorial waters. One of these vessels is the Pindos, a steel-hulled ship, which MAT volunteer Jane Thakker explores in greater detail.  On 10th February [...]

Similar to answers in our 8th crossword, this 11th one created by MAT volunteer Roger Burns, includes one type of ship, and 29 artefacts (clues for which are asterisked) displayed at the Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum on the Isle of Wight . But beware, some of these artefacts are personal effects recovered from wrecks [...]

During a weekend wander round the graveyard of St Michaels and All Angels Church in Bude, looking for gravestones of shipwrecked sailors, an unusual name caught the eye of Julie Satchell, our Head of Research. ‘Barnabas Stanlake Shazell’ drowned at Saunton in April 1899, with his body being recovered in June of that year. It [...]

A query from a local Bude resident for more information about the shipwreck that her mum had been named after – the Miura – began another adventure in the archives and on the beach for MAT’s Head of Research, Julie Satchell. Armed with a historic photo of the ship on the rocks and an account [...]

The Belém: the history behind the boilers on Northcott Beach The two large cylindrical metal objects which sit nestled in varying levels of sand just north of Northcott beach, near Bude, are the boilers of the steam ship Belém which ran aground on the 20th November 1917 carrying a cargo of iron ore as part [...]

For the past few years, our Christmas blogs have joyfully explored celebratory events and traditions from around the world. This year, we’re taking a fresh perspective, recognizing that Christmas can also be a time of unique challenges for many. Amid the holiday cheer, countless individuals, including mariners, continue their essential work, often in extraordinary circumstances. [...]

The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a little brain-teasing cheer? This crossword, created by MAT volunteer Roger Burns, features ships’ names and other maritime or nautical expressions or phrases, some of which are “linking” words. Answers including associated weblinks will be posted next month. Download, print, and test [...]

As part of our recent series of blogs on Bouldnor Cliff, MAT has been exploring how divers qualify to dive for work, and the methods recently used to take samples at the site. Now, MAT’s Project Officer, Carley Divish, shares her research on the lithic collection.   I have experience diving in all conditions, from freezing Indiana [...]

When thinking about the First World War it can be easy to view the maritime activities as solely those of warships. But many other vital operations were carried out by merchant and auxiliary fleets. Work experience student Noah looks into these civilian vessels and their valuable contribution to the war effort. Commercial ships, such as [...]

The HMS Hermes began service as a flagship before it was modified to accommodate seaplanes, and eventually met a tragic end in the Straits of Dover. Five students from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, aided by the research from volunteer Andrew Daw, share the story of this vessel which was lost 110 years ago today.  [...]