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stepping stones of maritime history

History

Wreck with an intact cargo discovered by sports divers

In 1975, a wreck was found by sports divers in a waterway in the Oosterschelde river in the Netherlands called the Brabantsche Vaarwater by sports divers. The wreck was described in an article that also includes a few pictures of the cargo of the wreck. The cargo of the ship at that time was almost intact. Clearly visible was the way the cargo was stacked and packed for the voyage with hay and pieces of wood between it to keep the cargo in place.

Onderwateropname door H.A. van Vlimmeren van een deel van de lading van het wrak in het Brabantse vaarwater, vermoedelijk de 'François Narp', kort na de ontdekking in 1975.
Batavialand Lelystad
The cargo of tiles still in situ , photo by H. van Vlimmeren, 1976.

The name François Narp was found on a ship's bell, along with the year 1739. It is assumed that this is the name of the ship. Other finds in the vessel confirm the dating to the middle of the 18th century.

A jar of the Westwald type found in the wreck.
RCE
A jar of the Westwald type found in the wreck.

The fact that the cargo was so intact was extra special due to the fact that de rest of the ship was badly damaged. the cargo of the ship existed mainly of floor and wall tiles, but also eartheware, bottles of wine and more. The sports divers mentioned the discovery of two wooden chests with iron fittings and one of these contained a bag with spices: cloves and nutmeg. They did not attach any value to this find so they threw it away.

One of the tiles found in the wreck.
RCE
One of the Delft Blue tiles found in the wreck.
Tile 2.
One of the tiles found in the wreck.
RCE
Another tile with a floral motive found in the wreck.

Description

Length: ca. 50 meters
The Hermione, a replica of an French 18th century frigate, sailing into Baltimore.
US Naval Institute
The Hermione, a replica of a French 18th century frigate, sailing into the port of Baltimore.

Status

The wreck was completely salvaged between its discovery in 1975 and 1982, when it was researched for the first time by an maritime archaeologist. Very little of the hull structure remains - this had already degraded before the discovery. The cargo had been completely removed between 1975 and 1982.

The ship's bell bearing the name of the wreck and the year 1739.
PAN
The ship's bell providing the name and date of the wreck.

References

MaSS