The maritime heritage of Sidmouth and Devon

Back in August 2016, something interesting appeared on the north Devon coast:
Two-century-old shipwreck to emerge from sea at Devon beach | Culture | The Guardian

This has since been given formal protection by Historic England:



Three historic shipwrecks in Devon given protection - YouTube
Three Historic Shipwrecks Given Protection | Historic England
Historic Devon shipwrecks ‘protected’ | News centre

One of the wrecks was found on the River Axe: 

The earliest wreck, known as the Axe Boat, lies in a mud bank on the west side of the Axe River in south Devon and appeared out of the mud in 2001 following changes in the flow of the river. Dating of extracted samples of wood indicates that it was built between 1400 and 1640. The hull retains characteristic features of medieval ships such as the ‘crook’d floor’ – a Y-shaped framing timber at the bottom of the vessel. The Axe Boat is likely to have been used in coastal trade or fishing and such vessels would have once been a familiar site off Britain’s coastlines. Axmouth was ranked as a major port by the mid-14th century and accounted for 15 per cent of the country’s shipping trade.

40,000 shipwrecks waiting to be found off British coast, says Historic England - Telegraph

Historic England is very interested in marine history and archaeology: 

Coastal, Marine and Maritime Heritage

England’s coastal and marine heritage tells a story of our nation’s history of commerce, conflict and leisure. It contributes strongly to our identity and quality of life today. Our ports and a host of colourful seaside resorts remain vital for our economy, well-being and enjoyment. Much of this rich heritage is poorly understood yet under considerable pressure from coastal erosion, development and damaging activities.

More is being discovered or recognised all the time: find out more about our programme of coastal research including Rapid Coastal Zone Asessement Surveys.

Coastal, Marine and Maritime Heritage | Historic England

With a specially-dedicated set of videos on YouTube:
Maritime Archaeology - YouTube - YouTube

On the south-east coast of Devon, we have the Jurassic Coast:
Dorset and East Devon Coast - 1000101 | Historic England
Dorset and East Devon Coast - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

And there might well be more to find along that coast: 

40,000 shipwrecks waiting to be found off British coast, says Historic England

The newly protected Westward Ho! Wreck on Northam Burrows Sands CREDIT: HISTORIC ENGLAND

Sarah Knapton, science editor 15 AUGUST 2016 • 12:01AM

Nearly 40,000 shipwrecks are waiting to be discovered along the British coast, Historic England has said, after awarding protection to three wrecks in Devon. A medieval fishing boat and two 18th century merchant ships have been given protected status which will ensure their survival and stop metal detector users or salvage brokers plundering the timbers.

Storms in recent years have uncovered hidden wrecks and are new finds are likely in the coming years. But experts at Historic England say there are still tens of thousands of missing ships which are yet to be found and coastal walks are encouraged to keep an eye out, particularly after bad weather.

The smaller wreck on Northam Burrows Sands, also newly protected

Joe Flatman said: “I think it’s almost inevitable that we will find more in the coming years. There are around 40,000 recorded shipwrecks but only a few have every been found. And the coastline is changing all the time, so they could suddenly appear. Some appear and then vanish so people can check records and find out where they were seen and keep looking to see if they reappear. People who are regular walkers along the coast or who have dogs should look out for them and let us or local historians know if they spot one.

40,000 shipwrecks waiting to be found off British coast, says Historic England

East Devon has a fair amount of maritime heritage:
Beer Village Heritage 

As has Sidmouth:
Sidmouth’s maritime heritage to be immortalised on screen | Breaking news & sport in East Devon | East Devon24

Here's an excellent on-line article looking quite extensively at the maritime archaeology of Sidmouth:

Case Study Site 9 – Sidmouth, Devon - CHeRISH Management

Although preserving heritage is fraught with politics:
Plans for Knowle redevelopment 'fail to respect Sidmouth's heritage', inquiry told - Devon Live
Port Royal regeneration: Sidmouth’s Drill Hall to be marketed | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Exmouth water sports centre could 'destroy World Heritage Site’ claim made - Devon Live

See also:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: national support for the Drill Hall
Futures Forum: More historic blue plaques for Sidmouth nominated > including Woolcombe House
Futures Forum: 'Art, literature and the historic landscape in East Devon ' > AONB heritage conference >>> book early for 21st April
Futures Forum: Local Heritage Assets: 'making better use of the available resources to identify, protect and maintain the historic buildings and places that matter to local communities.'
Futures Forum: Sidmouth has the largest number of listed buildings in East Devon
Futures Forum: Against heritage
Futures Forum: Regeneration of iconic seaside heritage >>> Hastings pier wins Stirling Prize
Futures Forum: The importance of heritage >>> "95% of adults agree that it is important to them that heritage buildings and places are well looked after"
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: a very nice place to hold a celebration
Futures Forum: 'Working the Sea' > celebrating Sidmouth's fishing heritage on film
Futures Forum: Gerald Counter's Sidmouth: an insight into Eastern Town >>> revisited
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Seafest 2017: celebrating a maritime heritage >>> "Working the Sea": "This stunning film: fascinating and inspiring, funny and humbling is a powerful reminder how lucky we are on the coast"
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: saving its heritage
Futures Forum: Drill Hall and Drill Hall Rescue @ Historic Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Locally Listed Heritage Assets: and deliberate neglect of the Drill Hall
Futures Forum: Seaside towns are starting to appreciate what they had - and are sprucing up their parks thanks to Lottery funding
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: SAVE Britain's Heritage >>> "The loss of the Knowle and the additional development of the park’s upper lawns and car park as proposed represent a devastating blow to the history and character of Sidmouth."
Futures Forum: Going, going, gone >>> Disappearing Britain @ BBC Four >>> allowing buildings to fall into disrepair so they can be sold to developers
Futures Forum: 'Why our Drill Hall is nationally as well as locally important'
Futures Forum: Sidmouth: a sense of place
Futures Forum: Literature and Landscape in East Devon >>> >>> National Trust talk in Sidmouth > Thursday 18th February
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