The Dutch East Indiaman sank with no survivors on the Goodwin Sands in January 1740. On only her second voyage, she was carrying a large amount of silver ingots and coinage, along with stone blocks and iron bars.
The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and Historic England (HE) are now working with the licensee and the original archaeological dive-team that partly excavated the wreck in 2005, after it had been found by a sport-diver.
Following up a geophysical survey carried out earlier this year, the divers are conducting a detailed survey of the wreck, which lies partly buried in sediment.
They hope to gain a better understanding of the ship’s design and the wreck’s state of preservation, which could lead to a further, larger excavation.
Under threat both from exposure caused by shifting sediment and visits by unauthorised divers, the site is on HE’s Heritage at Risk Register.
“It is important that cultural heritage agencies are able to work together to ensure that sites such as these are protected, researched, understood and appreciated by all,” said HE’s Chief Executive Duncan Wilson.
