Newport Ship wins support
from Heritage Lottery Fund
NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL
PRESS RELEASE
The timber remains of the Newport Ship, one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Wales, will be studied by a team of experts to uncover its origins and history thanks to a £799, 500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).The 15th Century Ship was discovered on the banks of the River Usk in Newport in 2002 during excavation work for the City’s £16 million Riverfront and Arts Centre.
It is the only intact medieval ship to be found in Britain and is widely considered to be one of the most important archaeological finds of recent times with significant international importance.
Currently in 1,700 constituent timbers, the ship may be able to enlighten archaeologists on the travel, trade and technological innovation between all the maritime nations of Europe and even further afield at the end of the Middle Ages.
The HLF grant will enable a team of nine professionals to record and analyse the timber remains using state of the art technology over a two year period.
This will enable informed decisions to be made about the ship’s original shape and function as well as its future conservation and reconstruction.
The team will look in detail at different ship building technologies which led to the development of ocean going ships and subsequent European expansion in the late 15th century.
The research aims to provide further insight into the Ship’s origins, what it looked like, what cargoes it carried, how many crew sailed it and why it was abandoned.
Jennifer Stewart, HLF Manager for Wales says: “This is one of the most important archaeological finds in Wales and it is therefore essential that we support its conservation for future generations.
“A meaningful interpretation of the Ship will provide us with a real insight into our maritime heritage.
”It is also extremely encouraging to see such passion and enthusiasm to save and conserve the Ship within the community. The Friends of Newport Ship have done a tremendous job in sustaining and developing the interest of the local community and their many supporters.”
The grant will also fund the employment of an Access and Learning Officer to engage the local community, in particular schools, in the project through presentations, open days and 3D displays.A community project will be set up which looks at the experience of modern seafarers in comparison to the lives of the 15th century mariners.
Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport city council, said:
”We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed with the council’s view that Newport is the home of a national and international treasure which warrants funding on a national level.
”This decision will enable the restoration and conservation project to continue its excellent progress and we look forward to identifying a continuing string of funding so people from across the country can enjoy the project’s eventual completion.
“The ship’s potential as a major tourism asset for Newport was demonstrated by the thousands of people from across the UK who visited the city during the open days earlier this year.
“With the support of the HLF, the council looks forward to driving forward the conservation project and the unique opportunities that it presents for the people of Newport and Wales.”