Marine archaeologists have launched an urgent excavation to uncover the remains of a **17th-century shipwreck** off the coast of Dorset, England. The wreck, believed to be part of the **Swash Channel Wreck**, is thought to be the remains of **The Fame of Hoorn**, a Dutch merchant vessel that ran aground while approaching **Poole Harbour** in **1631**.
The wreck was recently exposed after **Storm Chandra** washed away the sand that concealed it for nearly 400 years. The excavation began on **February 20, 2026**, as scientists raced against the tides and impending stormy weather that threatened to destroy the remnants of this historic ship.
Excavation Efforts Underway
On the day of the excavation, marine archaeologists from **Bournemouth University** collaborated with a youth group from the **National Trust**, composed of local school students. They started the operation at **10:00** as the tide receded, carefully removing tonnes of sand to reveal the ship’s timbers. The exposed section measures approximately **six metres** (20 feet) long and **two metres** (seven feet) wide, believed to be from the midship hull.
Tom Cousins, a marine archaeologist at Bournemouth University, stated, “During our excavation of the Swash Channel wreck in **2013**, there were pieces of the ship missing, and we do believe a section of the hull has now been revealed at Studland.”
The ship, originally constructed in the **Netherlands** in **1628**, was approximately **40 metres** (130 feet) long and **10 metres** (33 feet) wide. It was equipped with at least **26 cartridge-mounted guns**, which were likely used for defense against pirates while transporting salt from the Caribbean.
Historical Significance and Future Studies
The **Fame of Hoorn** sank after being dragged onto the notorious sandbank at **Hook Sands** due to a storm. Records indicate that the crew of **45** abandoned ship and safely reached land, leaving the vessel to be scavenged by looters.
The wreck was initially discovered by divers in the **1990s**, and previous excavations managed to recover a significant **40-metre** (130-foot) portion from the seafloor. This included the impressive **8.4-metre** (28-foot) rudder, featuring a carved head of a moustachioed man. At that time, it marked the largest marine excavation since the recovery of the **Mary Rose** in **1982**. Despite these efforts, many sections of the ship, including at least **20** of its guns, remained missing.
The newly uncovered section consists of **15 wooden frames** linked with wooden treenails, large pegs used to connect wooden pieces, and five outer hull planks. While the frames show considerable deterioration, the outer hull planks are remarkably well-preserved. Archaeologists suspect that another layer of planking originally existed on the inside of the vessel but has since been lost. This suggests that the remains have been buried in sand since the **1630s** and have been intermittently exposed over the centuries.
**Sarah Coggins**, coast and marine advisor for the National Trust, explained, “In 1630, this section of beach would have been open sea. Over the past 400 years, sand has been deposited, creating the dunes, wetlands, and shoreline we see at Studland today. That’s why this historic wreck is found buried in sand rather than lying on the seabed.”
The next step for archaeologists involves using **dendrochronology**, a method of dating wooden objects by examining tree rings, to determine when the trees used for the planks were cut down. If the age and origin of these planks match those of the confirmed **Swash Channel Wreck** pieces, it will provide compelling evidence that they belong to the same ship.
**Hefin Meara**, a maritime archaeologist from **Historic England**, noted, “The Swash Channel wreck is one of only 57 shipwrecks around the coast of England designated under the **Protection of Wrecks Act 1973**. Firmly dated remains of vessels predating **1700** are exceptionally rare. We can’t say for certain that these fragments come from that wreck site, but it’s an intriguing possibility.”
As the excavation continues, the team remains focused on preserving this significant piece of maritime history before nature claims it once again.
