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London: Three amateur divers trying to free snagged lobster pots have discovered the well-preserved remains of what is thought to be 17th century warship Resolution. The 70-gun vessel was abandoned by its crew off Sussex in the Great Storm of 1703, when a 120mph hurricane hit southern England. Although Resolution's approximate location was known, no trace of her had been found until the divers, from Eastbourne, who were asked by fishermen to retrieve the pots, suddenly found a large anchor, and then some cannon, in 30ft of water in Pevensey Bay. Their find, made last April but kept secret until this week so as not to alert treasure hunters, has led to the government giving the wreck protected status to allow archaeologists the chance to establish beyond doubt that it is Resolution.
At least 45 cannon have been found and there are high hopes that the hull, preserved in silt, remains substantially intact. "This is a hugely significant find," said Adrian Barak of the Nautical Heritage Association. "We can't say that it is definitely Resolution but it is almost the exact right place. It is remarkable that this wreck hadn't been discovered before. It may be that the seabed was moved by winter storms which uncovered it." That anything of Resolution, the second in the Royal Navy to carry the name, has survived is little short of a miracle.
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