Over 500 years ago a merchant ship sank to the bottom of the Thames.
Now, scuba divers and archaeologists have raised the wreck from its previously undetected resting place. As the investigation continues, extreme conservation has hammered through stony concretions to free the objects and long hidden secrets within.
London of the 1500s was a dangerous city. With the import of high quality goods, pirate chases along the Thames were not an uncommon sight. For safety even trade ships found themselves armed to the hilt with several large cannons.
One such cannon, found amongst the wreckage bears the insignia of the famous financier and founder of the first English Stock Exchange, Sir Thomas Gresham (pictured right).
You can find out if the Gresham Ship was a victim of an Elizabethan hostile takeover or more innocently the treacherous river Thames. You will also be able to see the intimate daily artefacts from the ships final hours and haunting fated sailor’s shoes visible again and on display for the very first time.
The exhibition, 2009: A Thames Odyssey… the Gresham Ship journey so far, will be on display and open to the public at the UCL Institute of Archaeology from May 11th to 15th, before touring the UK. There is also a *Sunday open day on May 10th* from 10am to 5pm with guided tours, and the
opportunity to enjoy the rooftop balcony view over Bloomsbury.
For more information on the Gresham Ship Project visit www.nasportsmouth.org.uk/projects/gresham.php
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Posted by: Boats | July 06, 2009 at 05:58 AM