Cornish diver lifts unique weights
THREE 25KG BRONZE merchant’s weights have been recovered from the Schiedam, a 17th-century Dutch-built shipwreck near Gunwalloe on the west side of Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula.
Local maritime archaeologist and author David Gibbins excavated and raised the octagonal weights over the course of five dives in September, but has only now announced the significant find after preparing a detailed report on their origins.
The remains of the ship, also known as the Schiedam Prize, were discovered in 1971 at depths of 4-7m. Designated as a protected wreck, since 2016 the site has been investigated by Gibbins and local dive operator Mark Milburn as Cornwall Maritime Archaeology, under licence from Historic England.