County: Dublin Site name: DUBLIN BAY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0358
Author: Simon Ó Faoláin, Eachtra Archaeological Projects
Site type: Wreck
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 724990m, N 734006m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.341503, -6.123016
Eachtra Archaeological Projects were subcontracted by MAU Ltd for Dublin Corporation to monitor the excavation of a pipeline trench under construction across Dublin Bay for the acceptance of the new Sutton to Ringsend wastewater pipeline. This licence covered the monitoring of all subtidal dredging of the pipeline route. The pipeline route formed a curve extending eastwards into the bay from Sandymount Strand and then turning gradually northwards before coming ashore at Sutton Creek. All works were carried out using dredgers. Monitoring of dredging was carried out on a 24-hour basis divided into two 12-hour shifts. Works took place from 15 April to 22 July 2001.
Two types of dredger were monitored. Hopper-suction dredgers operate like a giant hoover, sucking up material from the seabed and depositing it in a storage hold. The hull of the vessel is hinged down the centre and can be parted to empty the dredged material when the vessel is over the dump site. Any solid material of sufficient size will become lodged in the drag-head, which is the part of the vessel which runs along the sea bottom sucking up silt and sand. Periodic inspection of the drag-head allows the recovery of any archaeological material lodged there. Back-hoe dredgers operate much like land-based plant, consisting basically of a pontoon with a large bucket excavator on board, which deposits material in a barge alongside. The archaeologist constantly observes the material being deposited in the barge in order to identify any possible archaeological material recovered.
On 30 April the Big Boss back-hoe dredger impacted a wreck near Sutton Creek. A subsequent dive survey and initial analysis of the timbers recovered indicated the wreck to be early post-medieval, probably of 17th- or 18th-century date. This wreck was avoided through diverting the pipeline route and its condition is being monitored on a regular basis.
A total of 124 finds were recovered under this licence, of which 83 were timbers, 25 were pieces of ceramic, fifteen were of metal and one was of stone.
3 Canal Place, Tralee, Co. Kerry
