Sanday Shipwreck saved from ravages of time thanks to National Heritage Memorial Fund

In February 2024, a huge shipwreck revealed itself on the shores of Sanday, following winter storms.

As the waves started to reclaim part of the wreck, a race was on for the islanders to move the wreck to safety.

With help and advice from Wessex Archaeology and the Council's archaeologist, the timbers were moved to the island's Heritage Centre where they were doused in freshwater and kept damp, day in day out, to keep decay at bay.

Meanwhile, the Council's Museums team swooped in to offer their industry expertise and help source funding for urgent preservation of the wreck.

Now, thanks to a grant of nearly £80k from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the timbers have been painstakingly transferred to a huge, custom built tank of freshwater - while work is done to establish the ship's significance.

In this video, the Council's Culture Manager Nick Hewitt talks about the efforts so far to recover and protect the wreck and what we know about it. Ben Saunders, Senior Marine Archaeologist from Wessex Archaeology talks about the tank and how freshwater will help protect the timbers and desalinate them as well, a necessary step for any future conservation work. And Ruth Peace, custodian of the Sanday Heritage Centre, tells us the incredible effort volunteers have gone to over the past six months to keep the wreck safe while funding was secured and the tank built.