Schoolboy's Discovery Unveils 250-Year-Old Royal Navy Shipwreck on Scottish Beach

A schoolboy's chance discovery of wooden ship timbers on a remote Orkney beach has led to the identification of a 250-year-old shipwreck.

Archaeologists and local volunteers used scientific analysis and historical research to confirm the wreck as the Earl of Chatham, a former Royal Navy frigate that later served as a whaling vessel. The ship played a role in significant historical events, including the siege of Quebec during the Revolutionary War era. The find highlights the value of community involvement in uncovering and preserving maritime history.

The wreck's identification provides new insights into Britain's naval and whaling past.