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 significant historical events like the siege of Quebec, was uncovered after a storm swept away the sand covering it. The discovery highlights the value of community involvement and modern science in solving maritime mysteries.

The find offers new insights into Britain's naval and whaling history.