Schoolboy's Discovery Uncovers 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 determined the wreck is the Earl of Chatham, a former Royal Navy frigate that later served as a whaling vessel and was involved in the siege of Quebec. The ship was uncovered on Sanday Island in early 2024, sparking a collaborative investigation using scientific analysis and historical research. The find highlights the value of community involvement in uncovering and preserving maritime history.

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