Swan Wreck Gives Up Secrets

Recent underwater archaeological work on the wreck of the Swan, a small Cromwellian warship which was lost while attacking Duart Castle on Mull in 1653, has shown that much of the vessel's lower structure has been preserved intact. Excavation has revealed the location of the mainmast step, the pump well, and the port side structure to well beyond the turn of the bilge. Further investigation at the forward edge of the stone ballast which has preserved the wooden remains has identified the forward extent of the keel and keelson. From this it has been calculated that the ship measured about 66 feet along the keel, and had a maximum beam of 22 feet. These are the proportions of a warship, and confirm that the wreck must indeed be the Swan and not one of the two merchant ships lost in the same incident. The Swan was built by Charles I in 1641 as a light, swift vessel to counter piracy. She changed sides during the Civil War and in due course became part of the Cromwellian navy, based at Ayr. Her wreck was discovered in 1979. Since 1992 parts of it have become destabilised, and in association with Historic Scotland and the National Museums of Scotland Dr Colin Martin of St Andrews University has been investigating and consolidating the site. An exhibition of the work is on display in Duart Castle, which is open from May to October.

Archaeological examination of the hull remains suggest that she was built more strongly than was neccessary for a light ship of this class, and her performance probably suffered accordingly. She was heavily decorated with ornate wooden carvings, pieces of which have been recovered, and this may further have reduced her fighting efficiency. Her captain certainly enjoyed opulent accomodation, as the elaborately panelled remains of his collapsed stern cabin testifies. Many finds relating to contemporary life at sea have been recovered from the wreck. These include navigational instruments, weaponry, domestic utensils, and personal possessions. Butchered animal bones provide evidence for the crew's diet, while rubbish from the bilges, when analysed, will give a detailed picture of conditions on the lower deck (an initial assessment suggests that they were none too salubrious). We have even come face to face with one of the crew. A scatter of human bones spread across the site evidently derive from one individual, and about 60 per cent of his skeleton has now been reassembled. Forensic analysis of these remains indicates he was a seaman, with well-developed arm and shoulder muscles and a repetitive-strain injury to his hip joints which was probably caused from repeatedly jumping inboard after coming down off the shrouds. Work will be continuing this summer, and will probably be filmed for a Channel 4 documentary. Watch this space!

A carved wooden cherub and other remains - including a human arm bone - revealed by sea-bed erosion.