Scientists have solved the mystery of a Dutch warship that sank in the 17th century in 1672 off the coast of England while carrying luxurious Italian marble slabs. The ship was discovered in 2019, and scientists identified the previously unknown protected wreck off the coast of Sussex as the Dutch warship Klein Hollandia. The ship was built in 1656, owned by the Rotterdam Admiralty, and participated in major battles during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667).
The wreck, located 32 meters below the surface, had until now been referred to as the "unknown wreck off Eastbourne." Over the past year, specialists from Historic England, the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE), and the Maritime Archaeology Society worked to establish the identity of the ship. They utilized evidence collected from the wreckage by a team of professional divers and volunteers, as well as archival research and tree-ring analysis of wood samples.
Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson stated, "Identifying the Klein Hollandia provides a glimpse into the 17th century, giving us the opportunity to learn more about the maritime history of this period and uncover the treasures that lay underwater for hundreds of years." He added, "I am very pleased that thanks to this partnership between the UK and the Netherlands, we were able to solve some of the mysteries associated with this wreck – and protect it for future generations to continue researching."
Duncan Wilson, CEO of Historic England, expressed, "We are pleased that historical materials scientists in England played a key role in solving the mystery of the identity of this previously hidden shipwreck," noting that "revealing the story of the warship Klein Hollandia opens another wonderful chapter in the already rich and shared maritime history between the UK and the Netherlands." Experts state that the condition of the wreck is remarkable and could provide a wealth of information about how Dutch ships were built in the 17th century and the activities of the warship during its final journey.
