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-----Original Message-----
From: A news service for British archaeology
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Seren Langley
Sent: 22 January 2007 09:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Culture Minister David Lammy acts to protect shipwreck
Thursday 18 January 2007 15:15
Department for Culture, Media And Sport
Culture Minister David Lammy acts to protect the wreck of 18th century
merchant ship thought to be the Rooswijk
Culture Minister David Lammy today took action to protect a
wreck, believed to be that of the Dutch East India Company
vessel Rooswijk, discovered in 2004 by divers in the Kellet
Gut area of the Goodwin Sands, off the Kent coast.
The Rooswijk was an armed merchant vessel which vanished in
a storm in December 1739, one day out from Texel, a Dutch
Coast Island, on her second voyage to the East Indies. None
of the 250 people aboard survived and there were no
witnesses to her fate.
David Lammy's decision to 'designate' the well preserved
remains under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 follows a
recommendation from English Heritage.
The Order laid in Parliament will protect the newly
discovered remains - and the 150m area around them - and
will prevent accidental damage.
David Lammy said:
"Britain has a rich maritime heritage, as the SeaBritain
celebrations in 2005 proved so successfully. International
commerce is a major part of this heritage, not least for the
cultural exchanges it has helped to promote.
"The history of the Rooswijk is well documented and its
wreck site has the potential to yield a wealth of
information about trade between Europe and the East Indies
in the early 18th century. It also provides a rare
opportunity to gain insight into a period when English
shipwrights were employed to standardise Dutch ship design.
For these reasons, it is fitting that this site gains
statutory protection."
Notes to Editors
1. The Secretary of State has power under the Protection of
Wrecks Act 1973 to designate wreck sites which she is
satisfied ought to be protected from unauthorised
interference on account of their archaeological, historical
or artistic importance. Before making a designation order,
the Secretary of State is required to consult with
appropriate persons (unless she is satisfied that the order
should be made as a matter of immediate urgency). Once
designated, it is a criminal offence for a person to
interfere with the site except under the authority of a
licence.
2. Rooswijk will be the 59th historic wreck site designated
under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 in UK territorial
waters.
3. English Heritage is the Government's advisor on all
aspects of the historic environment in England. The National
Heritage Act (2002) enabled English Heritage to assume
responsibilities for maritime archaeological sites of all
types from low water out to the 12 nautical mile (nm)
territorial limit around England. The 2002 Act also allows
the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport to
direct English Heritage to undertake functions relating to
the Advisory Committee for Historic Wreck Sites and the
Government's contract for archaeological services in support
of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. Accordingly, English
Heritage may defray or contribute towards the cost of the
preservation and maintenance of any protected wreck.
Public enquiries 020 7211 6020
http://www.culture.gov.uk
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
http://www.culture.gov.uk
Client ref 006\2007
GNN ref 143026P
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