Mysterious shipwreck found off Sussex coast identified as Dutch warship

Mysterious shipwreck found off Sussex coast identified as Dutch warship


Undated handout photo courtesy of Cathy de Lara of two guns found at the site known as the Unknown Protected Wreck. Scientists have solved the mystery of the identity of a 17th-century Dutch warship that wrecked off the coast of England while carrying slabs of fine Italian marble. The unknown protected wreck off the coast of Sussex has been identified as the Dutch warship Klein Hollandia. Issue date: Friday, January 27, 2023. PA photo. See PA story SCIENCE Shipwreck. Photo credit should read: Cathy de Lara/PA Wire EDITOR'S NOTE: This handout photo may be used for editorial reporting purposes only for the simultaneous illustration of events, things, or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the image may require further permission from the copyright owner.
The Klein Hollandia sank with both English and Dutch sailors on board (Photo: PA)

A shipwreck lie off the coast of East Sussex has been identified as a Dutch warship that sank in 1672.

The wreck, which lies 100 feet (32 meters) underwater, was discovered by divers in 2019 and was initially dubbed the ‘unknown Eastbourne wreck’.

It is now identified as the warship Klein Hollandia, built in 1656.

The wreck was discovered by Eastbourne dive operator David Ronnan and subsequently reported to Historic England.

The Klein Hollandia, owned by the Admiralty of Rotterdam, was involved in all the major battles of the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667), according to a Historic England spokesman.


Shipwreck
Much of the wooden hull was found, along with cannons, Italian marble tiles and pieces of Italian pottery (Photo: James Clark)

In 1672, the ship was part of the squadron that escorted the Smyrna fleet as it sailed from the Mediterranean to the English Channel, en route to the Netherlands.

Passing the Isle of Wight, the fleet was attacked by an English squadron under Admiral Holmes, damaging the Klein Hollandia and killing the commander.

The Klein Hollandia sank shortly afterwards, with both English and Dutch sailors on board.

“The identification of the Klein Hollandia offers a glimpse back into the 17th century and gives us the opportunity to learn more about the maritime history of this period and to discover treasures that have been under water for hundreds of years,” said Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson. Whitley Bay.


coast of Sussex
The shipwreck was found off the coast of East Sussex in 2019 (Photo: Shutterstock)

The shipyard was given the highest level of protection under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 meaning only licensed divers were allowed to dive to the wreck site.

The marble tiles found at the site came from the quarries of the Apuan Alps near Carrara in Italy and were preserved by Historic England archaeological conservators.

Much of the wooden hull was found, along with cannons, Italian marble tiles and pieces of Italian pottery.

The tiles were destined for the Netherlands and, according to Historic England, would have been used to build high-status houses.

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