NHER 59625 (Maritime record) - Post-medieval wreck, Waxham Beach

May 2013.
Part of a post medieval wooden wreck was exposed on Waxham Beach in May 2013 and a site visit was made on May 14th following a report from a local walker [1]. The wreck was located in the intertidal zone at TG44818 25943, close to the low water mark and had been exposed from the intertidal sand by recent weather events. The wreck was aligned SW-NE, parallel with the shoreline between two groynes, south of Waxham Gap. The wreck comprised part of the hull of a probable sailing vessel including carvel planking and inner frames, fixed with wooden treenails. Given what remained of the vessel it was not possible to ascertain exactly which part of the ship was exposed although this may have been part of the bilge. It was also unclear as to the orientation of the stern and bow.

The bulk of the exposed wreck measured 12 m long, with a further 2 m of at least one plank partially exposed on the seaward side. At the time of the visit c. 1 m width of planking (4 planks) was exposed from the sand. The frames extended a further 1.65 m to the north west and were placed c. 50 cm apart. The frames measured 0.2 m thick, planks were 0.25 m wide and 0.5 m deep. The treenails were circular and c. 0.04 m in diameter, with up to 0.07 m exposed above the frames which were devoid of planking. Some linear marks were noted on one of the planks, although it is unclear if these were deliberate or created accidentally.

Wrecks of partial post medieval vessels are not uncommon on the Norfolk coast as a consequence of the once thriving ports in the area. Wrecks can sometimes move around or, as in this case, be cyclically exposed and reburied. The vessel is not closely dateable but probably represents a trading vessel dating no earlier than the 17th century and potentially as late as the 20th century.
K. Powell (HES), 20 August 2013

August 2013.
Information from a finders report made to English Heritage (S1) indicated that the wreck was entirely buried by late June (although known to have been exposed again in August 2013). The finder noted that he had been walking the beach since 1974 and had not seen this wreck exposed prior to 2013. The finder believes this part of the beach was in a sheltered bay behind a spit of land supporting Waxham Parva until c. 1650. He felt the vessel was 17th or 18th century in date and would have been 30-40 m long. The account describes a slight curve in the lowermost plank, although very little curve overall. The frames are described as rough hewn.

(S1) concludes that the finders description may be consistent with the turn of the bilge on the vessel's hull and that the rough hewn finish may indicate a coastal trading vessel, e.g. a collier. The wreck is most likely to have been stranded but could have been beached or abandoned and left to rot. Information from the author of (S1) suggests a boat known as the 'Alderson' was recorded as having fallen over on the beach in 1842 and it is possible that the wreck represents the remains of this vessel (although conjectural).
K. Powell (HES), 20 August 2013

September 2013.
Further information received from English Heritage (S1) indicate that the boat fragment has migrated along the beach. It is clearly a detached fragment of a wreck but it is unclear whether the fragment is the result of a stranding on Waxham Beach or whether the fragment simply washed up in 2013. Statistically the boat is most likely a 19th century colllier and may be the 'Alderson' as discussed above. However, records indicate that 255 shipswere wrecked on Happisburgh Sand between 1800 and 1899, 72 carrying coal. Winterton Shoal may also be the source of the fragment. There is a record of a very similar fragment of wreckage appearing on Caister beach in 2010.
K. Powell (HES), 20 March 2015.

October 2013. Casual Observation.
Wreck observed on Waxham beach and photographed.
See Photographs (S2).
A. Beckham (HES), 23 December 2019.

May 2015. Casual Observation.
Wreck observed on Waxham beach and photographed.
See Photographs (S3).
A. Beckham (HES), 23 December 2019.