Submerged in the silty sand at Bulverhythe beach, hidden from view except during the very lowest of tides, lies a 270-year-old Dutch East India Company cargo ship.
Returning from the East Indies loaded up with goods like textiles, wine, cannon, and nearly 30 chests filled with silver bullion, The Amsterdam ran aground on the return leg of its maiden voyage in 1749, after hitting a severe storm in the English Channel - A grim end to a troubled voyage: 50 members of the crew had died of plague and there had been a mutiny along the journey.
Within a few months, the hull sank over 25 feet (eight metres) into the silt. Soon the ill-fated Amsterdam was completely submerged in the quicksand and had disappeared from view. The wreck wasn’t rediscovered until 1969, when it was exposed by a low spring tide and only emerges a few times a year at the lowest of Spring tides.
Below the surface, due to the sedimentary soil, the wreck is in excellent condition. With only the outline of the top of the hull visible, one can only imagine the historic, treasure-packed vessel that’s preserved below!
Brilliant composition, there is so much interest with the remains of the boat, reflections, textures in the sand and the people in the distance - and the story describing the scene.
