Conference considers plans
for the Newport Ship
The Newport Ship in its Context
- Research, Conservation and Display
UWCN - 10th May 2003
1. "Need the excitement be a nightmare?" by George Lambrick
2. Excavating the Ship by Kate Howell
3. The Wood Record by Nigel Nayling
4. Waterlogged wood conservation - An overview by Kate Hunter
5. The Post Excavation Process by Sean McGrail
6. Future Planning Considerations for the Newport Ship by Gustav Milne
7. Overview and Summary
To read individual reports go to bottom
of page
Overview and Summary
This ambitious conference, arranged jointly by the Friends of the Newport Ship and the University of Wales College Newport, brought together a number of international experts in maritime archaeology, nautical history and the conservation of waterlogged wood with the field archaeologists and conservators involved with the recovery and conservation of the Newport mediaeval ship.
Originally intended as a routine day school element in the short course "The Newport Ship in its context - Research, Conservation and Display" run by the UWCN Archaeology department the event quickly grew into a significant conference in it's own right. The event took on a life of its own with a sharpened focus that reflected growing public concern about the loss of the vessel's stern and perceived inadequacies in the post excavation management plan and proposals for the display of the conserved ship. The day school was jointly chaired by Dr.Ray Howell, Reader in Archaeology at UWCN, and S.C.Rutherford, Chair of the Friends of the Newport Ship and Chepstow Archaeological Society. Delegates from across the country attended the conference and included students on the UWCN short course, the local MP Paul Flynn and members of the Friends of the Newport Ship.
Keynote speakers included George Lambrick , Director of the Council for British Archaeology and an early critic of the municipal arrangements for the vessel; Professor Sean McGrail of Southampton University a maritime archaeologist of international standing; and Gustav Milne of University College London and the Museum of London, known for his work on the maritime archaeology of the City of London mediaeval riverfront.
L to R - George Lambrick, Sean McGrail, Nigel Nayling, Kate Howell, Kate Hunter, Gustav Milne
Conservation and research reports were delivered by a number of members of the archaeological team that excavated the vessel including Nigel Nayling (Lampeter University) consultant archaeologist and dendrochronology expert who advised on the recovery of the vessel; Kate Howell of Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) the site archaeologist responsible for the excavation: and Kate Hunter, Keeper of Conservation at Newport Museum & Art Gallery who now bears the responsibility for the care of the timbers and other artefacts recovered with the ship. Participants were also treated to a viewing of a short documentary film about the excavation and reconstruction of the 14th century Hanseatic ship, the Bremen Cog presented by Chris Plaister of the Risca Industrial Society. It was a film that graphically described the immensity of the undertaking that now faces Newport in the conservation and reconstruction of its own ship. Finally a concluding plenary discussion was chaired by Alan Aberg, Chairman of the Society for Nautical Research. Representatives of the Mary Rose Trust and Oxford Archaeology Unit were invited but unable to attend – Charles Barker was very supportive.
A number of key themes were identified early on in the proceedings and quickly established a potent agenda for the day. In general these seemed to arise from apparent lack of transparency and inadequate communications on the part of Newport City Council, the custodian body responsible for the ship, regarding its plans, management of the project and the nature of its expert advice. However they also involved questions about the over-arching role of the Wales National Assembly and Cadw, its heritage advisors, in safeguarding the national heritage. The primary issues can be defined as follows:
- Concern about the plans for the management of post excavation work including; cleaning and recording of the timbers and small finds, conservation of timbers, re-assembly arrangements, contextual research, display and publications.
- A perceived inadequacy in the understanding of the requirements and funding for a project of this magnitude.
- Essential need for an advisory panel of experts to assist with development and implementation of a management plan.
- Is there a role for specialist archaeological / early ship consultants in developing the project?
- What are the requirements for re-assembling a ship of this size and what are the constraints and advantages afforded by the proposed subterranean display gallery?
Left - Nigel Nayling speaks with local historian Martin Culliford
Right - Gustav Milne talks with Paul Flynn Member of Parliament for Newport West
Concluding Plenary Session
The conference concluded with a plenary discussion involving all the conference speakers chaired by Alan Aberg of the Society of Nautical Research. A range of questions from the floor sought clarification on a number of points arising from the presented papers.
An initial query regarding the recovered prow section revealed that although badly damaged by recent piling this latest excavation had recovered another framing timber and confirmed the angle of the composite stem post. The recovered ship was now approximately 26 metres in length. It was also reported by one of the participants that despite press statements by the NCC Cabinet member for Leisure & Life Long Learning (S.W. Argus 9/05/03) the report to council concerning the Post-Excavation process was still in preparation.
Post-Excavation Research Plan
Deep concerns were voiced about the overall arrangements for management of the post-excavation process and delegates expressed surprise that Cadw appeared to have been excised from the project at an early stage and now appear not to have a 'formal' role in monitoring the monies given by the Wales Assembly. Sean McGrail queried the city council's current position that appeared to be one of taking advice from only one expert source - Charles Barker of Mary Rose Archaeological Services. George Lambrick advised that it was essential to develop the larger framework of a "Conservation Planning Process" that consults with a wide range of expert advisors. There is a crucial role for specialist archaeological/early ship consultants in developing the project.
There was a generally unanimous view that the discovery of the mediaeval ship represented a great educational asset for the wider community and an unprecedented economic opportunity for the community of Newport through enhanced historic status and tourism related activities if the ship is properly presented.
Participants call for a Severn Maritime Heritage Museum
Strong concerns were voiced about the adequacy of the proposed subterranean display gallery which has already been constructed, even before the recording process has been undertaken, and the size of the ship accurately determined. It was felt by many that the requirements for re-assembling a ship of this size had not been fully appreciated at the time of the decision and its effective reconstruction will be compromised by the severe limitations of the proposed display area.
Many felt that the quality of the recovered vessel and the undoubted significance of it's contribution to the advancement of knowledge of mediaeval ship construction and the role of Newport in 15th century trade would be under exploited by the proposed plan. Members called for the establishing of a major museum of Severn shipping that would enable the public display of not only the Newport Mediaeval Ship but also the other significant finds excavated in the area. These might include the Barlands F arm Romano-Celtic boat, Magor Pill barge, the bronze age sewn plank boat and the Tredunnoc canal barge; as well as the many maritime and industrial related artefacts.
Charitable Foundation?
The scale of the project and the limited resources of Newport City Council were acknowledged by all present but some participants suggested that the setting up a charitable foundation to fund the development should be considered.
Overall, contributors felt that Newport council had failed to fully appreciate the significance of this important discovery and had lacked transparency in the communication of the plans for its future development. Participants endorsed Professor McGrail's view that an advisory panel of experts be established to oversee the post excavation management of the project and called for a more open and constructive dialogue between the council and all concerned.
The conference concluded with a vote of thanks to all the contributors, to UWCN for hosting the event and to the organisers, Professor Ray Howell, BobTrett of GGAT and Simon Rutherford of the Friends of the Newport Ship.
Summary report of the proceedings prepared by Ron McCormick
10th June 2003
Individual papers
1. "Need the excitement be a nightmare?" by George Lambrick
2. Excavating the Ship by Kate Howell
3. The Wood Record by Nigel Nayling
4. Waterlogged Wood Conservation - an Overview by Kate Hunter
5. The Post Excavation Process by Sean McGrail
6. Future Planning Considerations for the Newport Ship by Gustav Milne
The Newport Medieval Ship in its Context
- Research, Conservation and Display
Saturday 10th May 2003
University of Wales College Newport
Caerleon,
Newport,
South Wales, UK
Organised by UWCN in association with
the Friends of the Newport Ship
and Chepstow Archaeological Society
