2010 marked the 28th International Shipwreck Conference, and probably one of the best of the last few years.
The first presentation of the conference was from John Riley. Entitled ‘Modelling Shipwrecks’, John presented some of the stunning models he has built of shipwrecks over the years, and gave details of his process of deconstruction, to turn a perfect ship model into a representation of the wreck on the sea bed. An interesting way to produce an accurate model!
Second up was a review of the Salcombe Bronze Age Wreck Site from Jim Tyson, proving the amazing array of shipwrecks available so close to our shores. www.swmag.org/
Sean Kinglsey was able to give an excellent update on the activities of Odyssey Marine Exploration on the wreck site of HMS Victory (First Rate Ship of the Line, sank 1744).
In the afternoon session, Innes McCartney demonstrated his well versed presentation skills with an excellent talk on HMS Audacious, the famous WW1 Super Dreadnought sunk of Malin Head. www.periscopepublishing.com
After being unable to make the 2009 conference due to the terrible snow, David Mearns then followed with details of the discovery of HMAS Sydney. The task of discovering wrecks in such deep water is impressive enough, never-mind capturing such stunning imagery. Certainly a presentation worth waiting the extra year for! http://www.bluewater.uk.com/
In the final session, Dante Batoli gave an excellent summary of 2nd Centrury BC Shipwreck in Capraia, Italy, as well as an interesting insight into the process of marine archaeology within Italy.
Closing the conference with a talk entitled ‘Fireships and Firebrand’, Kevin Camidge provided an interesting insight in the use of fireships, something I certainly was not aware off.
Panoramic View on the way to look over the Cattewater Wreck Site
On the Sunday we were treated to an excellent walking tour of Coxside and Cattedown. Starting at the site of an early ropewalk we moved on to overlook Cattewater wreck before heading off to a Pleistocene cave containing early human remains. The tour finished with essential tea and biscuits at the Plymouth University Marine and Diving Centre, along with a guided tour of their facilities.
The International Shipwreck Conference is run by shipwreck enthusiasts every year in Plymouth.
