| UK. Culture Minister Lammy acts to protect Iona II and Royal Anne Galley wreck sites |
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| Wednesday, 24 May 2006 | |
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Government news: Culture Minister David Lammy recently announced measures to ensure the continued protection of two significant wreck sites: Iona II located to the east of Lundy Island, Devon, and the Royal Anne Galley situated at the Stag Rocks off Lizard Point, Cornwall. Both sites are currently protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. Iona II, which was made of iron and powered by steam, was the first ship under 150 years old to be protected when the wreck site was designated in 1989. This merchant vessel was acquired to allegedly run guns and supplies for the Confederate Forces in the American Civil War. The Iona II was lost on its first trans-Atlantic voyage, only a year after it was built in 1863. The Royal Anne Galley was a 5th rate galley which sank in 1721, twelve years after it was manufactured. The Royal Navy built only six such galleys, and the Royal Anne was described as the finest ever constructed at her launch. The wreck of the Iona II was designated in 1990. Recent archaeological investigations have shown that a substantial proportion of the northern area of the known site lies beyond the designated area and is presently unprotected. The Royal Anne Galley wreck was identified in 1992 and designated a year later. Archaeological exploration taking place in 2005 revealed a new cluster of wreck material outside the designated zone. Therefore both these sites are being re-designated to ensure their continued protection. Culture Minister, David Lammy said: "The Royal Anne Galley and Iona II wreck sites are vastly different yet both essential to our maritime heritage. I am pleased that these two Orders will help to continue the protection of both." Editors note: 1. The Secretary of State has power under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 to designate wreck sites which she is satisfied ought to be protected from unauthorised interference on account of their archaeological, historical or artistic importance. Before making a designation order, the Secretary of State is required to consult with appropriate persons (unless she is satisfied that the order should be made as a matter of immediate urgency). Once designated, it is a criminal offence for a person to interfere with the site except under the authority of a licence. 2. Archaeological investigations undertook in June 2005 discovered that a small cluster of 18th century wreck material, located adjacent to the Quadrant Rock, may represent part of the Royal Anne assemblage. The relationship between the two sites is such that designation of this material should be considered. Extending the Royal Anne Galley restricted area will afford protection to the Quadrant site. Therefore the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites recommended that the restricted area around the site be increased from 100m to 200m. 3. Archaeological investigations carried out in May 2005 on the Iona II wreck site have shown that the centre of the current designated circle lies too far to the south and east. Therefore a substantial proportion of the northern area of the known site is presently unprotected. The Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites has recommended that the centre of the designated area is moved to a position west of the wreck site. This approach will allow the whole of the known site to be protected, without including the MV Robert, a popular recreational dive site, within the designated area. |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 May 2006 ) |
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