News Archives - NavalHistoria

For Sale: German Gun Battery in Normandy

Phil Hodges — Wed, 20 May 2026 10:41:00 +0000

A rare piece of history is up for sale in Normandy…a Napoleonic and WWII German gun battery complex overlooking Cherbourg Harbour.

The Amfreville Battery (sometimes listed under its German designation within the Marineküstenbatterie system) was part of the coastal defence network protecting the Cherbourg fortress zone, one of the most heavily fortified sectors of the Atlantic Wall. Located northwest of Amfreville, near the tip of the Cotentin Peninsula, the battery covered approaches to Cherbourg from the west and north, where the U.S. Navy and ground forces would eventually attack in June 1944.

It was operated by the Kriegsmarine, not the army, and belonged to the larger system of naval coastal artillery defending Cherbourg’s deep-water port, vital for Germany, and desperately needed by the Allies after D-Day.

During the Battle of Cherbourg from 22 to 25 June 1944, as U.S. VII Corps tightened its grip on the city, the U.S. Navy brought in battleships, cruisers, and destroyers to batter and neutralise the German coastal defences.

The battery came under bombardment from the British cruisers HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise, both using their 6-inch (160 mm) guns. The position fired back, and one of its salvos scored a hit that left Glasgow damaged. During these operations, Amfreville also opened fire on vessels including the battleships Texas, Arkansas, and Nevada, the heavy cruisers Quincy and Tuscaloosa, and several destroyers making perilously close bombardment runs. These same ships returned fire, hammering the battery over successive days.

It was operated by the Kriegsmarine, not the army, and belonged to the larger system of naval coastal artillery defending Cherbourg’s deep-water port

Now, if you’ve ever fancied owning part of the Atlantic Wall, this might be your chance. The sprawling site at Querqueville / Amfreville (Stp 277) – known during the war as Battery Yorke – defended the approaches to Cherbourg.

What Do You Get?

Closed to the public for decades while used by the French Army as a training area, it’s now on the market… and what a site it is.

Yes it is BIG!

Located northwest of Amfreville, near the tip of the Cotentin Peninsula, the battery covered approaches to Cherbourg

Naval counter-fire neutralized or suppressed most of the battery’s guns by 23–24 June.

Situated in the land above Cherbourg harbour it offers the buyer the opportunity to uncover an untouched WW2 battlefield with a Napoleonic history as well.

The two tier observation bunker which has stunning views over Cherbourg harbour.

A WW2 German Flak position.

You’ll find massive German-built casemates, underground tunnels, and even remains of earlier Napoleonic gun positions.

There’s a large underground hospital, flak positions, tobruk pits, bunkers, living quarters, and ammunition stores still intact.

A long drive leads to the heart of the battery – accessed by original Napoleonic gates.

Views over the Cherbourg coast.

It is in great condition.

Some of the many Napoleonic buildings still standing.

The land also has a number of buildings which could be adapted for modern uses.

The gated driveway leads up to the battery, offering complete privacy and panoramic views across the harbour and coast.

There’s even talk of a water reservoir that could become an infinity pool… and a three-storey observation tower that could be converted into living space.

Amfreville’s guns – generally 170mm naval pieces

The naval guns were in concrete casemates or open emplacements

It’s easy to imagine the place restored as a boutique hotel, a private estate, or even opened to the public as a WWII museum.

One of many photographs of German soldiers at the site.

Cherbourg was considered Festung Cherbourg, a fortress city. Hitler had ordered it held to the last man

The Amfreville Battery formed part of the western arc of defences around the port

Serious?

Search “Cherbourg Batterie Yorke” or “Stp 277 Amfreville (York)” on Google to see the site for yourself.

If you’re seriously interested, you can contact the selling agent Carine Napoliello directly at boatcity@yahoo.fr or by phone on (France) 06 75 92 69 35 (French or English).

Now that’s one property listing that makes Rightmove look a bit dull….

If you’re seriously interested, you can contact the selling agent Carine Napoliello directly at boatcity@yahoo.fr or by phone on (France) 06 75 92 69 35 (French or English).

The post For Sale: German Gun Battery in Normandy appeared first on NavalHistoria.

Wreck of Ju-88 Under The Waves

Phil Hodges — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:54:23 +0000

Bit of a scoop for us all. Back in June, one of our followers … Nikolaos Sidiropoulos … found something rather special. A Ju-88 !

While diving in the Aegean with fellow diver Dr Kimon Papadimitriou, he came across the wreck of a Junkers Ju-88… untouched since the war!

What A Find

“As I dropped down through the blue, the shape of the Ju-88 appeared beneath me,” Nikolaos said.

“The fuselage was stretched out across the sand, the wings resting in patches of seagrass. Kimon and I realised we were the first people to see it up close in more than 80 years. It was a surreal feeling.”

Wreck of the Junkers Ju-88 off Psara

The aircraft lies in just 25 metres of water off the island of Psara … remarkably intact for a wartime ditching.

The Story

During the Second World War, the Ju-88 was one of Germany’s most successful twin-engined aircraft, used as a bomber, night-fighter, reconnaissance platform and more. This particular machine, a Ju-88 A-4, had been flown by Leutnant Gert Winterfeld of Kampfgeschwader 1.

On the night of 13 December 1943, Winterfeld and his crew were part of a low-level attack on Bari harbour. The raid quickly descended into chaos. Two Ju-88s were shot down in the flak, and as the survivors turned for home, Winterfeld’s aircraft became lost in heavy cloud.

An individual Ju-88

The wireless operator, Unteroffizier Erwin Kielhorn, reported total radio failure, leaving them with nothing but a failing compass. They were badly off course, running low on fuel, and nowhere near their base at Elefsina. With no options left, Winterfeld ditched the aircraft at sea.

The life-raft then failed to deploy.

Three Junkers Ju-88s over Crete in 1943

In the darkness, two crewmen swam away from the island, unaware of the shoreline behind them, and drowned. Winterfeld and another crewman managed to struggle ashore.

Rumours

More than eight decades later, Nikolaos and Kimon … part of the Underwater Survey Team (UST), a volunteer group researching wrecks around Greece …heard old rumours of an aircraft lying somewhere off Psara.

The cockpit

Local fishermen spoke of nets snagging on something hard. With that hint in mind, they prepared a search dive… and found the wreck almost exactly where the fishermen described!

“The view into the fuselage was extraordinary,”

Nikolaos said.

“The structural ribs were covered in marine growth, but the interior was recognisable. We even found the spherical oxygen bottles still strapped in place … unusual for a Ju-88, which usually carried cylindrical tanks.”

Ghost Like

The open hatch to the rear bomb bay is visible, the bombs long since dropped over Italy.

Inside the fuselage

The cockpit canopy has vanished, but the pilot’s seat remains, complete with its long protective ‘neck’ behind the headrest.

The crew positions are still identifiable, though much of the cockpit framework has collapsed with time. Theengines can also be clearly seen.

Tail section

For an aircraft lost in wartime, lying in open water, it is in astonishing condition … eerie, quiet, and strangely graceful.

A huge thank-you to Nikolaos Sidiropoulos for sharing his dive, images, and story with us.

What a find.

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The World At War: A Programme’s Legacy

Phil Hodges — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:54:16 +0000

In 1973, British television audiences were introduced to a documentary unlike any other. The World at War.

HMS Hood.

The World at War, a 26-part series, set out to chronicle the entire scope of the Second World War. Produced by Thames Television at a then-astonishing cost of £880,000…over £14 million in today’s money…it was, at the time, the most expensive factual series ever attempted.

The opening sequence and music live on.

The Voice

The series was narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier, whose measured voice lent gravitas to the immense scale of the conflict being depicted.

What set the series apart was not only its budget but its approach.

It combined extensive archival footage with interviews from people who had experienced the war firsthand.

Oradour-sur-Glane featured in a single episode

Soldiers, civilians, political leaders, and even former members of the Axis powers provided testimony, creating a narrative that was both broad in scope and intimate in perspective.

Episodes moved beyond the familiar battles over Western Europe, covering the deserts of North Africa, the jungles of Burma, and the Pacific theatre, providing a truly global account of the conflict.

In Footsteps

The series also captured the day-to-day realities of war. While traditional histories focus on strategies and outcomes, The World at War delved into personal experience.

Viewers encountered the voices of men and women who endured air raids, marched across foreign lands, or served on warships, giving the series a human dimension that many documentaries of its time lacked.

Its influence has endured. Historians frequently cite it as a benchmark for historical documentaries, and it continues to be used in educational contexts.

The series covered every theatre of war

While modern productions offer high-definition footage and updated research, the depth and balance of The World at War remain difficult to surpass. Its production values, attention to detail, and careful structuring of episodes mean that it has aged remarkably well, even more than fifty years after its debut.

A List

The series featured interviews with a wide range of participants, adding authenticity and depth.

Among them were Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, whose leadership in North Africa and Europe shaped key campaigns.

US actor James Stewart

Admiral Sir Max Horton, commander of the Royal Navy’s submarine forces; Albert Speer, Nazi Germany’s minister of armaments; James Stewart, the American actor and U.S. Army Air Forces officer,and Stephen Ambrose, noted historians and commentators; as well as ordinary soldiers, sailors, and civilians who witnessed events from the front lines and the home front alike.

These first-hand accounts provided insights into the strategy, decision-making, and personal experiences behind the major events of the war.

Footage

The series was a financial and logistical feat. Coordinating interviews, sourcing footage from across the globe, and scripting episodes to maintain both accuracy and narrative flow was no small task.

For viewers at the time, it offered unprecedented insight into the conflict that had shaped their world.

Today, it remains a reference point, a reminder of the scale and complexity of the Second World War, and a model for how to present history in a compelling and authoritative way.

So, does it still stand the test of time?

For many historians, educators, and enthusiasts, the answer is yes.

While newer documentaries might explore specific theatres with more technical sophistication, the series’ comprehensive approach, human focus, and storytelling craft ensure that it continues to be regarded as one of the definitive records of the Second World War.

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World of Warships Presents: The Longest Night of Museums

Craig Ryan — Thu, 15 May 2025 10:29:04 +0000

Join a live tour of naval museums around the world from the comfort of your home!

This Sunday, May 18, and for the fifth consecutive year, our partners over at the strategic naval action game World of Warships are organizing The Longest Night of Museums—a live-streamed event lasting multiple hours that takes players and history enthusiasts on a voyage through some of the most important and fascinating naval museums around the world. Tune in to the official World of Warships Twitch channel to experience a sea of surprises, special guests, in-game rewards, and more!

What to expect

The stream starts at 16:00 UTC

Based on a tradition originating in Germany in which museums open to the public long into the night every third Saturday of May, World of Warships has made a yearly tradition out of featuring naval museums around the world in the Longest Night of Museums mega-stream. This year, the event will be focusing on the biggest developments in naval technology that were spurred on by the course of World War II. During this deep dive, you’ll get to see…

· Live Q&A sessions with museum staff.

· A rather unusual debate featuring TV presenter and historian Dan Snow.

· Exciting documentary content from our partners.

· Exclusive reveals relevant to all naval history enthusiasts.

· A Twitch Drop giveaway for World of Warships players!

Have you got what it takes to brave the virtual naval battlefields of World of Warships? Redeem this exclusive bonus code to get a head start with free extra content:

LNOM2025 Click here to redeem the code

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The World of Warships Top 5: Spring 2025

Craig Ryan — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 12:40:43 +0000

Being a video game franchise about 20th-century naval combat, the team at World of Warships has ample experience portraying the intricacies of naval history—from beautifully recreated warships down to the narratives and stories forged around them. Below, we offer you their top picks for the most fascinating naval battles fought in spring that you can partially recreate in-game by sailing into a match aboard some of the ships that took part in them!

Want to immerse yourself in naval history truly? Use the bonus codes below when creating your free World of Warships PC, Legends, and Blitz account, and hit the ground running with some valuable loot!

· WoWS (PC) – WOWSHISTORY25 (new & existing players)

· WoWS: Legends (Console and Mobile) – 25WELCOMEWOWSL (new players), 25HISTORYWOWSL (existing players)

· WoWS Blitz (Mobile) – XTWOWSBHISTORY25 (new players), XTBWOWSBHISTORY25 (existing players)

FOLLOW THE LINK

The Saint-Nazaire Raid

In the early hours of March 28th, 1942, the docks of Saint-Nazaire, France, were the focal point of a scene that could be described as something from a Hollywood movie. Under cover of darkness, HMS Campbeltown weighed down with explosives and daring commandos, rammed the gates of the German-held dry dock as the clock ticked down to what would be her utterly devastating curtain call. The gates were utterly demolished, and due to the damage caused by general flooding and the demolition charges, the dock remained out of service for the duration of the war. The only port on the Atlantic coast capable of providing shelter to German battleships was gone.

British destroyer Campbeltown in World of Warships (PC).

The Battle of Cape Matapan

What do you do when you decode messages detailing the movements of an enemy fleet but don’t want them to know that you know how to decode them? You carefully direct a reconnaissance plane to fly around them visibly, and they’ll think it was a happy accident! Then, have your own fleet’s commander make a show of turning up in a club late in the evening with overnight luggage, and they’ll be quite surprised when your warships show up in battle formation the next day to face them! The Allied squadron’s surprise attack ended with the loss of several Italian cruisers and destroyers, as well as the crippling of the pride of their fleet—battleship Vittorio Veneto.

An Italian Vittorio Veneto-class battleship in World of Warships (PC).

Operation Ten-Go

On April 7, 1945, the legendary Yamato—the largest ship in naval history—was attacked by waves of American carrier-borne aircraft while en route to Okinawa to play her part in the Imperial Japanese Navy’s desperate last stand. The first attack wave did little but scratch her, but after her escort ships had been summarily defeated, all the attention focused on Yamato, namely on her port side. As the damage mounted, Yamato began to slow, becoming a more manageable target until, not even two hours after the air raids had started, she capsized and her ammunition magazine catastrophically detonated.

Japanese battleship Yamato in World of Warships (PC).

The Naval Battles of Narvik

In April 1940, British and German destroyer forces engaged in brutal close-quarters combat spread across two separate engagements in the claustrophobic confines of the Norwegian Fjords, as both powers vied for strategic control of the Nordic country. Cornered and outgunned by the Royal Navy squadron, which included the fearsome battleship HMS Warspite, the German destroyer flotilla was soundly defeated, thus cementing an important victory for Allied morale in the uncertain days of the beginning of World War II.

British battleship Warspite in World of Warships (PC).

The Battle of Jutland

Over a decade of rapid technological and doctrinal development in naval combat led to this very moment – when modern dreadnought battleships and battlecruisers would meet in a massive open-water duel. However, not even a lifetime’s worth of complex study and grueling exercises drilled into the heads of the British and German commanders could have prepared them for the shocking moment when the most extensive war machines ever conceived collided in the defining naval battle of the First World War. It’s difficult to assess the results of this landmark battle unambiguously. While it’s true that the Royal Navy suffered severe losses—almost twice the German losses in tonnage—the German Empire failed to achieve its primary goal of breaking the economic stranglehold the British enforced via blockade.

German battlecruiser Von der Tann in World of Warships (PC).

The post The World of Warships Top 5: Spring 2025 appeared first on NavalHistoria.

World of Warships: Legends marks 80 years since D-Day

Sam Hutchings — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:33:00 +0000

June’s update commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day with dedicated missions, alongside a campaign starring a Dutch Tier VII cruiser, tweaks to aircraft carrier mechanics, a new Goleador Championship themed web event and more

Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading cross-platform naval multiplayer World of Warships, is bringing plenty of fiery action to its console and mobile edition, World of Warships: Legends. June’s update is packed with content, including a five-week campaign that rewards players with a Premium Dutch cruiser. More prizes await, with ships, camouflages and more found across the dedicated missions for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and a new Goleador Championship web event. To further test players’ seafaring strategies, June’s update includes adjustments to aircraft carriers and new seasons of Brawls and Fleet Battles.

The Netherlands makes a splash with new campaign and cruiser

A new campaign makes waves in June’s update, as “Skyreaper from the Lowlands” drops anchor in Legendary waters. Those who complete this five-week, 100-milestone campaign with Admiralty Backing will receive Premium Dutch Tier VII cruiser De Zeven Provinciën.

This ship marks the addition of a newly added nation, the Netherlands, to World of Warships: Legends, and is equipped to do serious damage with a powerful airstrike feature and impressive fire-setting abilities. Ready to take the helm of this cruiser is a new historical Commander, Karel Doorman, who will be able to join players’ ranks alongside De Zeven Provinciën.

Dedicated missions for D-Day’s 80th anniversary

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, players can dive into thematic new dedicated missions. Upon completion, players are rewarded with collectible cards full of information about the landing, the ships involved, and military decorations. After completing the set, players will be able to unlock French Tier III battleship Courbet 1944, decked out in a special D-Day permanent camouflage. Alongside this, players can find several historical ships that were involved in D-Day, including Texas, Belfast, and a new destroyer Haida in the store.

Balance tweaks to aircraft carriers for enhanced performance

Aircraft carriers also welcome some improvements and adjustments for better battle across the board, including an expanded hangar, faster reload times, increased bomb deployments and new plane fuel mechanics. In addition to this, plane costs are reduced to zero, bringing further adjustments to their economic balance.

Score big in new Goleador Championship web event

From June 10, players can get in on all the excitement of European football in a new Goleador Championship web event. Through scoring goals on the event’s dedicated webpage, players can unlock 24 special T-shirt patches, consumable camouflages, and a special permanent camouflage for Fiji. World of Warships: Legends’ June update also welcomes two new Brawl seasons, which each include unique gameplay modifications like buffed main batteries, and upgraded main stats. Fleet Battles also make a comeback, as five player divisions compete against one another for unique rewards.

You can find the patch notes here: https://wowslegends.com/blogs/entry/2615-june-update-wings-over-waves/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sQV_ggGlFPo

Assets: https://we.tl/t-okuUsm9eXU

—

About World of Warships: Legends

Experience epic naval action in World of Warships: Legends, a massively multiplayer online game where you can master the seas in history’s greatest warships! Recruit Legendary Commanders from maritime history, upgrade your vessels, and stake your claim to naval supremacy with or against players from around the world in thrilling and immersive battles.

World of Warships: Legends brings the online naval action loved by millions to home consoles and mobile for the very first time, alongside a host of content and features exclusive to the console experience.

Official website: https://wowslegends.com/

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Treasure Hunting Shipwrecks in Paradise

Phil Hodges — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:55:40 +0000

Treasure hunters have long been obsessed with retrieving shiny gold doubloons and dazzling jewels from shipwrecks in the Bahamas.

But these wrecks are worth far more than the treasures they hide below the ocean’s surface; they also offer a window into the past, revealing new information about politics, shipping routes, navigation, shipbuilding, slavery and more.

When diving wrecks everyone dreams of gold and silver. In the Bahamas its a reality.

Mapping

Now, researchers want to shine a light on the sunken vessels’ rich archaeological, historical and cultural treasure value. To start, they’ve created a new master map of the wrecks surrounding some of the Bahamas islands in the west Atlantic Ocean.

The new map—and accompanying findings—will go on display this autumn as part of an interactive exhibition at the Bahamas Maritime Museum.

You can see how over176 shipwrecks now lay off the Bahaman coast (Map Allen Exploration)

James Jenney, a maritime historian who led research efforts for the project, told Smithsonian magazine:

“Beyond seaborne conquistadors hauling gold, silver, emeralds and pearls back to Spain, mapping the wrecks of the Bahamas has uncovered the forgotten lives of merchants, warships, fishermen, slavers and even ancient salvors.”

The project is a collaboration between Jenney and Allen Exploration, a company partnering with the Bahamian government to study the area’s shipwrecks and maritime history.

Spanish Gold

Perhaps most famously, Allen Exploration’s team has been surveying and recovering treasures from the wreck of the Maravillas, a Spanish ship loaded with gold, silver and gems that sank in 1656.

Carl Allen, the company’s founder, said in a statement:

“In our dives we trip over wreck after wreck.”

“For decades, the Bahamas’ lost ships have been silent phantoms. So many ships of war and trade sailed through and sank in these waters. Finally, we’re figuring out their names, stories and the excitement of what’s still down there.”

The Cruel Sea

While hurricanes plague the Bahamas, most of the ships sunk after running into reefs or island shores, according to the researchers. This made them easy pickings for divers who could salvage and sell their cargoes.

Another ship lost in the Bahamas. HMS Theseus sinks in 1804.

According to the historical records, Bahamian salvors retrieved cargo from 60 ships between 1656 and 1908, grabbing gunpowder, cotton, sugar, molasses and nearly anything else they could get their hands on.

For their efforts, they typically took home between 45 and 66 percent of the cargoes’ value, per the researchers. Of the 176 shipwrecks researchers recently found in archival materials, only 19 have been identified underwater so far, meaning the area is ripe for further hands-on exploration.

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New 3D Scan of Titanic Released

Phil Hodges — Fri, 19 May 2023 16:04:54 +0000

A new ground breaking achievement has been accomplished by deep-sea researchers who have conducted the first ever full scale digital scan of the Titanic revealing the entire wreck in unparalleled detail and clarity.

The companies behind an upcoming documentary on the historic shipwreck made this announcement on Thursday 18th May 2023.

A Titanic Task

Utilising two remotely operated submersibles, a dedicated team of researchers spent six weeks during the previous summer in the North Atlantic, meticulously mapping the entirety of the shipwreck and the surrounding debris field spanning over three miles.

This expansive debris field, where personal items belonging to the Titanic’s passengers such as shoes and watches were scattered, has now been comprehensively documented.

3D scan of the bow of the Titanic showing its anchors. (Atlantic Productions/Magellan)

Richard Parkinson, the founder and CEO of Magellan, a deep-sea exploration firm, estimates that the resulting data, comprising a staggering 715,000 images, is ten times larger than any previously attempted underwater 3D model.

New Documentary

Anthony Geffen, the head of Atlantic Productions, the documentary maker involved in the project, described the data as an exact digital replica, or a “twin,” of the Titanic, capturing every minute detail.

The Titanic, renowned for its ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, struck an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic on April 15, 1912. Within hours, the luxurious ocean liner tragically sank, claiming the lives of approximately 1,500 people.

Discovered in 1985, the wreck rests at a depth of around 12,500 feet (3,800 metres), roughly 435 miles (700 kilometres) off the Canadian coastline.

Quality Images

Geffen emphasises that other images of the Titanic are often limited by very low light levels. This only allowed viewers to observe one area of the wreck at a time. However, the newly created 3D model provides a comprehensive view of both the bow and stern sections, which had separated upon sinking, with exceptional clarity.

This detailed rendering even includes the serial number on the propeller.

The researchers have dedicated seven months to processing and rendering the vast amount of data they collected, with a documentary about the project scheduled for release next year.

The RMS Titanic leaves Southampton on her fateful voyage in April 10, 1912.

Beyond the documentary, Geffen expressed his hope that this cutting-edge technology will aid researchers in uncovering further details about the Titanic’s tragic demise and allow individuals to engage with history in an entirely fresh manner.

“All our assumptions about how it sank, and a lot of the details of the Titanic come from speculation because there is no model that you can reconstruct or work exact distances,” Geffen explained. “I’m excited because this quality of the scan will allow people in the future to walk through the Titanic themselves… and see where the bridge was and everything else.”

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Roman Shipwreck Gives Clues to the Past

Phil Hodges — Fri, 19 May 2023 16:04:35 +0000

An ancient wreck containing 44 tons of ancient Roman columns has been discovered off the northern Israeli coast by a local swimmer, resulting in great excitement among archaeologists.

This remarkable find has resolved a longstanding archaeological debate while shedding light on the ancient architectural practices of the time.

The Finds

According to experts, the fine marble artifacts found within the wreck were likely intended for use in large-scale, grand public buildings, such as temples or theatres.

The discovery of these characteristic pieces has brought joy to archaeologists who have long studied and admired such structures.

One of the Roman marble columns found. (Image credit: Israel Antiquities Authority)

Dating back almost 1800 years to the Roman period, it is believed that the cargo originated from regions like the Aegean, the Black Sea, Turkey, or Greece. The destination for these architectural elements was probably one of the ports along the southern Levant coast, such as Ashkelon, Gaza, or possibly Alexandria in Egypt.

Archaeological Excitement

While it was common during the Roman period for similar architectural objects to be made from local stone and then covered in white plaster, the underwater findings have confirmed that these treasures are indeed made of genuine marble, adding to their historical significance.

Furthermore, the discovery has settled a debate among archaeologists regarding the finishing of Roman period architectural elements. The question was whether these elements were fully completed at the quarry site or fashioned into their final form at the construction site.

The presence of unfinished columns in the wreck, which were likely intended for the southern Levant, suggests that local artisans would have been available at the destination to complete the construction process.

A Lucky Find

The accidental encounter by the local swimmer with the ancient wreck has provided archaeologists with valuable insights into the architectural practices of the Roman period.

One of the upright Corinthian columns (Photo Israel Antiquities Authority)

The immense weight of the Roman columns and the use of genuine marble further emphasise the grandeur and craftsmanship that were invested in the construction of public buildings during that era.

This discovery serves as a testament to the enduring fascination and cultural richness of ancient civilizations, leaving researchers eager to uncover more secrets hidden beneath the depths of the seas.

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Shipwreck Victims at Medieval Churchyard

Phil Hodges — Fri, 19 May 2023 16:04:10 +0000

A medieval churchyard restoration project on the Isles of Scilly is illuminating the lives of those interred there, including victims of shipwrecks.

The main churchyard accommodates 858 graves, with the possibility of up to three individuals buried in each.

The Project

Lindsay Sandford and her husband Brian embarked on this project after encountering difficulties locating a specific grave in St Mary’s Old Town Churchyard.

The initiative began over two years ago when a friend of Lindsay’s acquired an old photo album.

Recognising a boat shed in one of the pictures that her family had rented, Lindsay discovered the names of the people associated with it. Motivated by this revelation, she visited the churchyard to find one of their graves. However, she found the area in a state of neglect, practically derelict and heavily overgrown.

The overgrown graveyard held surprises for the volunteers. Credit: Above & Below Imagery

Undeterred, the couple obtained permission to renovate the site. They drew on their previous experiences that prepared them well for the task at hand.

Task Ahead

Lindsay, a former museum researcher, had spent 30 years working in the old museum. Her husband, Brian, who had worked for the diocese, had 40 years of experience in local church projects.

The restoration work proved challenging, requiring 60 hours of their time each week to remove trees and overgrown plants.

The Anglican church of St Mary, dating back to the 12th century, was originally situated in Old Town, Isles of Scilly.

St Mary’s Church on the Isles of Scilly where the graveyard lies.

However, in the 1880s, the churchyard was terraced to accommodate additional graves, resulting in many previous resting places being buried over. With limited resources, many families couldn’t afford grave stones. Marker stones, some dating back to the 1700s, were unearthed during the restoration process.

Mrs. Sandford has since authored books that document the history and stories of the individuals buried in the churchyard.

Youngsters Lend a Hand

The local community actively participated in the renovation efforts, offering assistance with gardening work and updating graves. Students undertaking community work for their bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards also contributed to the restoration, even helping to revive the graves of their own family members.

When asked about a memorable story she encountered during the project, Mrs. Sandford mentioned her fondness for Captain Peter Lambton’s narrative. Lambton was aboard a ship captured by pirates at Dunkirk and subsequently held for ransom, resulting in his tragic demise. She likened the story to something out of Treasure Island.

Regarding family memorials, Mrs. Sandford noted an intriguing pattern. In many instances, the graves contained both the first and second wives, with the former often receiving a more elaborate tribute.

This stain glass window in St.Marys shows how dangerous the sea can be.

Through the dedicated efforts of Lindsay Sandford, Brian, and the local community, the medieval churchyard on the Isles of Scilly is being restored, providing insight into the lives and stories of those interred there.

The project not only honours the past but also fosters a sense of community engagement and preservation of local maritime history. This helps for future generations to appreciate.

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