Maritime record MDO8699 - Christchurch Harbour Roman Wreck

The remains of what was claimed to be a Roman ship were found in Christchurch Harbour in 1910. Burnt timbers, pottery, iron and bronze objects were found. This is unlikely to be a Roman ship.

In 1910, the Christchurch Times <1> reported that a 'portion of a burnt and mud-buried ship' was discovered in the Harbour. A small incense cup or vase was amongst the burnt timber as was more than twenty artefacts (comprising iron, bronze and pottery) and fragments of human remains.

In March last (1910) portions of a burnt and mud-buried Roman ship were discovered in the harbour near Christchurch. It was thought at first to be a Viking ship, but further excavations having since been made, it is now believed to be Roman. A small incense-cup or vase was found amongst the burnt timbers and sent to the British Museum for examination, with the result that Dr. C. H. Read replied: “The small vase is of Roman date.” Altogether, more than twenty articles – iron, bronze and pottery – have been recovered, with fragments of human remains. The small cup or vase is of bright red ware, and wheel turned. It was partly broken but most of the fragments are to hand, and can be restored. It is one of the smallest incense-cups found in England of Roman make, being 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and 3 ½ inches high, while the neck is 1 inch long. It is of very graceful outline and proportion. In the Victoria County History Christchurch is not considered to be a place of Roman occupation, and this is one of the first authentic finds made belonging to the Roman period, with the exception of a few coins. The site of the discovery is in private ground, and further results are expected. <2>

There is no conclusive proof that the finds were from a wreck, and Mr. Keith Jervis (Curator, Poole Museum) suggests that the assemblage may indicate a grave (K. Jarvis, pers comm). Also in 1910, seventeen Roman pottery fragments were recovered from the Harbour, and are now held by the Bournemouth Natural Science Society. <3>

<1> Anon, 1910, Christchurch Times (Serial). SWX8157.

<2> 1910, The Antiquary: a magazine devoted to the study of the past 46, p 162 (Article in serial). SWX4280.

<3> Le Pard, G, 1995-2003, Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database, Shipwreck 1137 (Digital archive). SWX8707.

<4> Cresswell, J, 2003, Items in collection of the Bournemouth Natural Science Society. (Index). SWX8161.

<5> Cumming, E, The Dorset shipwreck and maritime incident directory, 21 (Monograph). SDO16406.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1353531 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 18 2024 4:49PM