Schoolboy's Discovery Unveils 250-Year-Old Royal Navy Shipwreck in Orkney

A schoolboy's chance encounter with the exposed ribs of a wooden ship on a remote Orkney beach led to the identification of a 250-year-old shipwreck.

Archaeologists and local volunteers used scientific analysis and historical research to confirm the vessel as the Earl of Chatham, a former Royal Navy frigate that later served as a whaler. The ship, which played a role in the siege of Quebec, was uncovered on the island of Sanday in early 2024. The discovery highlights the value of community involvement in uncovering and preserving maritime history.

Experts say the wreck offers new insights into 18th-century naval and whaling activities around the British Isles.