1995:009 - TAYMOUTH CASTLE, north-east Antrim coast, Antrim

In January 1867 the Taymouth Castle was wrecked off the Antrim coast in very heavy weather. The ship, which was an experimentally built composite ship, was on only its second voyage, bound for Singapore with a general cargo. The wreck was recently located by divers, who began to plunder the site. Recognising the destruction happening on the site, Environment Service contracted MAU (Management for Archaeology Underwater) to carry out a survey and excavation on the site. The hull was poorly preserved on the seabed. Only framing from the forward section of the ship and a large section of outer plating survived. The ship's windlass was also visible. A large mound of iron bowls, which had concreted together, lay close to the wreckage. These bowls had been deposited during the wrecking process and had formed a protective layer over an assortment of artefacts. Excavation of this mound produced a wide variety of pottery, including Glaswegian sponge ware, and a large number of alcohol bottles, still corked with their original contents. Other finds included rigging elements and iron tools. The finds from the site demonstrate the preservation potential of underwater sites. The survey of the site afforded a unique opportunity to examine an important vessel in the history of the evolution of ships. It also afforded an interesting insight into Far Eastern trade in the Victorian period.

c/o Institute of Irish Studies, Queen's University Belfast