County: Dublin Site name: SUTTON
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0718
Author: Laurence Dunne, Eachtra Archaeological Projects
Site type: Wreck
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 725694m, N 739370m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.389517, -6.110306
A survey and temporary conservation works were carried out on a previously unknown wreck below the low-water mark at Sutton, Co. Dublin. The wreck was impacted on during marine dredging works associated with the excavation of a submarine trench across Dublin Bay from Ringsend to Sutton. The wreck is located below the low-water mark on the eastern limits of Bull Island where Sutton Creek issues into Dublin Bay.
A large coherent hull section, separated from the body of the wreck, is visible at optimum low tides. The wreck section comprises a coherent convex or curvilinear hull section, with its outer more rounded exterior now topside and its interior unfortunately disposed towards the incoming tides and the wider vagaries of weather and wave action. The outer exposed planking is constructed with ten 50mm oak planks varying in width from 175mm to 300mm, with many of the planks tapering to accommodate construction curvature. The planks are fastened edge to edge in the carvel technique with numerous wooden dowels or treenails. The diameter of the treenails averaged 37.5mm. The inner concavity was partially filled with sand which, when combined with wave action in this intertidal zone, reduced safe and satisfactory examination. However, it was possible to identify a large cross-member, 200mm by 150mm, possibly a rib-beam, that seemed to extend the limits of the wreck section at right angles and onto which the planking was fastened.
Two profile drawings bisecting the wreck section were plotted and an EDM plan undertaken. The interior was then temporarily protected by the judicious insertion of sandbags, which were also placed around and ultimately on top of the wreck.
A diver investigation of a 20m zone around the wreck section was also undertaken. No exposed artefacts or features were noted.
Subsequent and regular monitoring of the wreck section identified further treenails and other features that included a small and poorly carried out repair job.
The pipeline channel was reinstated in December and the exposed wreck section was reburied.
Preliminary examination of the wreck section supports the theory that this vessel was most likely a trading ship as repairs to the vessel were poorly undertaken, whereas if it were a naval vessel the repair work would most likely have been undertaken to a much higher standard. That the ship traded and lingered in warmer climes is evident from lice holes in the planking. Apart from a few nail holes, no metal was noted. An estimated size of the vessel is tentatively given at 45m by way of a rule-of-thumb calculation based on 30m per 25mm width of treenails. No precise dates have been received yet but a late 17th-century date is tentatively suggested.
3 Canal Place, Tralee, Co. Kerry
