HMS Schiedam
HMS Schiedam was a Dutch East India fluyt.[1] Schiedam was captured by Moroccan pirates in 1683 off Gibraltar. She wrecked off Gunwalloe Cove in 1684. The wreck is a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England.
Career
It was then recaptured by the British ship HMS James on 10th August 1683 and used as a water carrier within ships of the line, now she was now referred to as the Schiedam Prize. She was then used as a transport ship to assist in the clearance of the Tangier Settlement.
Wreck
Whilst carrying naval workmen and their families, horses and cannon, she was lost off Gunwalloe Cove on her return to England on 4 April 1684.
The wreck was discovered on 10th July 1971 by Anthony Randall who, as the original licensee, undertook archaeological work on the site between 1971 and 1995. Over 150 artefacts are known to have been recovered from the site, some of which are on display at the Charlestown Shipwreck Museum.[2]
In 2013, Historic England (then called English Heritage) commissioned a desk based assessment of the wreck site's significance, its history, any existing evidence, finds and research work, concluding a discussion of potential threats.[2]
A similar wreck was filmed at the same location for an episode of the BBC TV series Poldark in 2014.[3][4]
References
- "Schiedam [+1684]". wrecksite.eu. 20 October 2012.
- Camidge, Kevin (2013). "Schiedam Prize Designated Historic Wreck Site : Desk-Based Assessment Historic England Research Report 87/2013". research.historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-09.
- "Cornish shipwreck rediscovered on Poldark site". BBC News. 13 Dec 2016.
- "Three cannon on the wreck of the Schiedam (1684), Cornwall ..." Dave Gibbins. 5 Jun 2016.