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Britain’s most valuable shipwreck will be protected from criminal divers through new “forensic marking” technology that allows bronze cannons and other valuable items to be tracked and identified when they are put on sale to the public.
Of the 37,000 shipwrecks off the coast of England, 57 of the most significant sites will be “marked” underwater using the technology, which took seven years to perfect to ensure it can withstand the rigors of the marine environment.
Mark Harrison, head of heritage crime strategy at Historic England, the public body responsible for protecting historic places, said on Wednesday the technology would act as a “clear deterrent” to those who want to loot protected sites.
Professional divers have begun work on the Klein Hollandia, the 17th-century Dutch warship that sank off the Sussex coast in 1672, applying invisible markings to its cannons.
Shipwrecks before 1700 are extremely rare, and there is little documentation on the design and construction of Dutch ships during this period.
The wreck was confirmed in 2019 and is still in “abnormal” condition.
The heritage agency has joined forces with its Dutch counterpart, the Dutch Heritage Agency, to develop a forensic marking system and study the site.
Hefin Meara, a maritime archaeologist at Historic England, said: “This is a game-changer for us. Knowing that these risky objects are marked gives us peace of mind and is a huge benefit to those who think they can take these and get away with them.” Punishment is a big deterrent to people.”
Underwater heritage crime has long been a problem in the UK. In 2014, two men were convicted of looting items such as cannons and propellers from a shipwreck off the Kent coast.
In 2015, another man was fined and jailed for trying to sell three bronze cannons that turned out to be from Charles II’s flagship, which sank at Southend in 1665. Another man was convicted in 2016 of illegally removing tin ingots from the 19th ship. Century shipwreck off the Cornish coast.
Mira said the measure would also help deter souvenir hunters who might take household engine parts or accessories from the bridge as souvenirs after visiting a modern but still protected wreck.
The idea of forensically marking maritime heritage was sparked by the technology being applied to lead roofs on churches in England, where the high price of metal has led to a series of thefts.
Mira added that bronze cannons from shipwrecks typically go to two markets: private collectors or metal dealers.
A network of volunteer divers and boat owners are already helping to protect the wreck sites, but Historic England says many are too far from the coast to be constantly monitored.
“If someone breaks the law and takes any property, the new markings will allow police to link the offender to the crime scene and carry out criminal prosecutions,” Harrison said.
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