Wreck amnesty yields unusual finds (From Western Telegraph)

Wreck amnesty yields unusual finds

Thousands of items recovered from wrecks, including cannonballs, portholes, coins, silverware and even chamber pots and lace panties, have been reported to the Receiver of Wreck as a result of the first Wreck Amnesty which ran for three months from January 23rd.

Under the amnesty, divers and other sea users were encouraged to report their finds from the wrecks of ships, hovercraft and aircraft. A Receiver of Wreck spokesman said the amnesty aimed to:

l Identify objects capable of being returned to their rightful owners. l Allow heritage organisations to identify wreck finds of historical and archaeological importance.

l Clarify and correct legal procedures. l Make future prosecutions under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 more effective.

The illustrated report details some of the thousands of items declared under the amnesty, including many of historic interest and potentially dangerous munitions from First and Second World War wrecks.

Some of the more unusual finds included bottles of pefume, champagne, gin and vodka, chamber pots, toilet bowls and metal ingots.

Receiver of Wreck, Sophia Exelby, said: In general, finders all over the UK welcomed the oportunity to set the record straight and we are now very pleased to be able to share the results in our official report which does much to promote a greater understanding among sea users of their responsibilities under the law.

Copies of the report are available free from the Receiver of Wreck at Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Spring Place, 105, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1EG - Row@mcga,gov.uk (023 8032 9401, and details are available on the website at www.mcga.gov.uk.