Experts search for mass grave of Royal Anne shipwreck

Experts are hoping they can find the mass grave from a disastrous shipwreck off Cornwall's Lizard Point 300 years ago.

A galley similar to the Royal Anne [Credit: West Briton]

Archaeologists know the rough area where more than 200 people were buried – but are now hoping to pinpoint the exact site.

In November 1721, The Royal Anne was sailing to the Caribbean carrying the new governor of Barbados. During a storm, she ran aground on the treacherous rocks off Lizard Point. In the chaos and confusion, 207 people were drowned and just 3 survived.

The National Trust’s Rachel Holder said it was well known that the bodies were buried in an unmarked grave near Pistil, a small valley to the west of Lizard Point.

She said: “Local lore has it that the Lizard folk who went to bury the bodies could not complete this mammoth grizzly task within the day. When they returned next dawn, a pack of dogs had got their first and were tucking into a gruesome breakfast. Even to this day it is said that dogs cower when passing through the meadow, perhaps in shame at the actions of their ancestors. The story of Pistil fired the imaginations of later generations, with the likes of Daphne du Maurier taking an interest in the tale.”

Pistil meadow near The Lizard [Credit: West Briton]

She said the exact location of the grave, however, was unknown.“We have teamed up with archaeologists from Bournemouth University and the Maritime Archaeological Sea Trust to investigate further,” she added. “The team first visited in November 2012 to undertake geophysical surveys. The ground was first cleared so archaeologists could take the smooth and regular paces on which their equipment relies, and a grid was pegged out. They were able to use magnetic and electromagnetic techniques but due to the saturated ground, other kit which relies on detecting differences in moisture could not be used.”

She said they identified three possible sites and are going back to check again.“Again the vegetation has been cleared and this time the team have had success using earth resistivity area 3D imaging, ground-penetrating radar and electromagnetic techniques.”

She said once the results are analysed, they will then decide whether to get permission to mount an archaeological dig.

Author: WB Graeme | Source: West Briton [November 09, 2014]