Introduction
The Rooswijk was a Dutch East India Company vessel which sank on the treacherous Goodwin Sands, off Kent, in January 1740. The ship was outward bound for Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) with trade-goods, a large cargo of silver ingots and coinage on board. The ship, which lies at a depth of some 20 meters, is threatened by currents and shifting sands and classed as High Risk on the Heritage at Risk register due to its exposed remains and vulnerability. Because of this threat, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands has decided to establish a joint project with HE to investigate the wreck: the #Rooswijk1740 project.
[[BOILERPLATE]] The #Rooswijk1740 project is led and financed by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, an executive body of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). In collaboration with Historic England and the dive contractor / post excavation manager MSDS Marine Ltd. two seasons of excavation took place in 2017 and 2018. Historic England is providing specialist and research facilities for the post-excavation phase which runs since 2019. [BOILERPLATE]
Excavation
The Rooswijk is threatened by currents and shifting sands and an exploratory study of the wreck last year cemented the urgent need for the current excavation. The site is classed as High Risk on the Heritage at Risk register due to its exposed remains and vulnerability.
In collaboration with Historic England and the dive contractor/ post excavation manager MSDS Marine Ltd. two seasons of excavation took place in 2017 and 2018. Historic England is providing specialists and research facilities for the post-excavation phase.
Alison James (MSDS Ltd.) who is the UK post-excavation manager for the #Rooswijk1740 project, said:
Wrecks such as the Rooswijk are time capsules that offer a unique glimpse into the past and tell a story. Sharing that story with a wide audience is a key part of this project and we look forward to the fascinating insights and discoveries that the Rooswijk excavation will uncover this summer.
Martijn Manders, Project Leader of the #Rooswijk1740 project and Maritime Heritage Programme Manager at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, said:
The Goodwin Sands has been a treacherous place for ships throughout the centuries and is now a treasure trove for archaeologists. It is also popular with sports divers. The rapidly shifting sands mean that the site is even more exposed now than it was during our initial dives to assess the condition of the Rooswijk in September last year. This makes the excavation urgent. We are excited about this project because the Rooswijk is a showcase of modern underwater archaeology in which cooperation is essential. It provides unique opportunities for young professionals and the public to participate. A project through which we can learn about our shared past and who we are.
There are a total of 250 Dutch East India Company shipwrecks, of which only a third have been located. Never before has a Dutch East India Company wreck been scientifically researched or excavated at this scale.