2009:134 - CORK HARBOUR Seabed areas along cable route running between Corkbeg Island, 182749 63456 and Ringaskiddy,, Cork

Underwater assessment took place of a series of marine geophysical anomalies located along the proposed route of a 220kV submarine cable between Corkbeg Island and Ringaskiddy, Cork Harbour. The assessment included the visual inspection of side-scan sonar anomaly ss5 and two magnetometer targets, mg4 and mg11, located within the cable wayleave. A number of other geophysical targets (ss12 and mg 34) located in close proximity to the proposed route were also assessed. Underwater inspection of shipwreck anomaly ss7/mg8, c. 1km north of the proposed cable route, was undertaken to ascertain its archaeological significance.
Systematic visual inspection of the seabed surrounding each of the geophysical targets was undertaken. No archaeologically significant features were encountered as part of the archaeological assessment of those targets located within/close to the cable wayleave. A potential positive identification of the geophysical targets was achieved for ss5, ss12, and mg34. No targets were identified for anomalies mg4 and mg11, which are considered to be buried or represent mobile objects that have moved to a different seabed location subsequent to the initial geophysical survey.
Shipwreck anomaly ss7/mg8 is located within the vicinity of the documented location of the 17thcentury wreck of the Bredah (Shipwreck Inventory, DoEHLG). Dive inspection suggests the wreckage is from a composite vessel of later date that probably dates to the late 19th century.
The composite wreckage forming anomaly ss7 will remain unaffected by the proposed development and no further archaeological mitigation measures are required for this site. The position of this wreck has been listed in the Shipwreck Inventory and is afforded statutory protection under the National Monuments Acts 1987–2004.