6 Fascinating Finds from the London Wreck, 1665

Three hundred and fifty years ago, a second rate 72-gun warship known as the London spectacularly blew up after a gun powder explosion just off Southend-on-Sea in Essex. It is considered one of England’s most important 17th century shipwrecks. Historic England, Cotswold Archaeology and licensed divers have been excavating the wreck, bringing up more than 150 artefacts before they are lost forever to time, in the Thames Estuary. These finds create a unique snapshot of life on board this warship in 1665.

1. Beeswax Candles

The discovery of candles in the wreck is extremely rare due to their fragility. On ships light is crucial to illuminate the lower decks and to signal. These fragile candles are made of beeswax, as was established by Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy. The layers from repeatedly dipping the wick into the molten wax can be clearly seen, as can the wick itself.

Candle fragment, showing fibrous wick in the centre

Candle fragment, showing layers from dipping into wax

2. Copper Alloy Calliper

This copper alloy calliper was embedded in a large concretion*. It was carefully removed using a hammer and chisel. It is so well preserved that you can still read the grading on it, which probably relates to shot diameter and/or weights. This artefact will give an important insight into naval warfare.
*A concretion is formed when a corroding iron object interacts with the surrounding environment, encapsulating marine organisms, surrounding sediments, corrosion products and even other artefacts in a lump.

Close-up of the scale on a copper alloy navigational instrument that was partially buried in the silt. The silted, anaerobic environment of the Thames Estuary is perfect for preserving such fine detail. © Luke Mair

3. Copper Alloy Spoon

This copper alloy spoon similar in size to a modern day soup spoon is very well preserved with only minimal corrosion. At the end of the bowl, you can see a mark, consisting of three spoons and the initials G and I, all framed by a beaded circle. Further research can possibly link this spoon to historic records and maybe even establish the maker.

Copper alloy spoon after conservation

The maker’s mark near the end of the bowl shows three overlapping spoons. © Luke Mair

 4. Leather Shoe

Personal items such as shoes are really evocative and illustrate the human side of the London story. There are several shoe finds and they will provide the basis for research into footwear on-board a 17th century naval ship. The insoles on some shoes have marks on them like the one shown here. Could these be measurements to standardise production of shoes?

Leather insole after conservation

A latchet shoe recovered from the London wreck © Steve Ellis

5. Double Pulley Block

This double pulley block is in remarkable condition. The wooden block has been protected by centuries of burial that has also preserved fine tool marks and a beautifully smooth surface. Amazingly also a piece of rope has survived within the pulley block.

Double pulley block

6. Coil of Rope

This coil of rope, as well as the double pulley block (see above), is associated with the gun carriage. Survival of rope and cordage is fairly uncommon on land excavations. Their preservation in maritime contexts provides opportunities to analyse fibres and rope making techniques. This particular find is made from a plant fibre and still smells of the tar/ pitch applied to it when in use.

As you can see, a lot of the detective work is still outstanding. What makes this collection of six finds unique is their amazing preservation after being underwater for 350 years! They will provide researchers with a lot of material to understand and interpret the wreck. All these finds are being conserved by Historic England. You can follow this year’s work on Twitter using #LondonWreck1665

• Follow @HE_Maritime on Twitter
• Race against time to raise gun carriage from London wreck
• The London: A Conservator’s Tool Kit