Conference considers plans
for the Newport Ship
The Newport Ship in its Context
- Research, Conservation and Display
UWCN - 10th May 2003
6. Future Planning Considerations
for the Newport Ship
by Gustav Milne
Gustave Mile in discussion with Paul Flynn
Member of Parliament for Newport West.
In the final paper Gustav Milne summarised other British projects of relevance to the Newport Ship, including some in which rudders were found. He went on to review the case of the Sandwich medieval ship (Kent) which had been uncovered during a sewer trench excavation in 1973. The disturbed hulk was a late 14th-century clinker-built merchantman up to 30m long. No resources were made available for this find, and thus the remains were "air-dried" by default. However, the 4m-tall rudder and a number of framing elements somehow survived the ravages of time, and these fragmentary remains were recorded by archaeologists from University College London 25 years after the initial exposure.
Four for the price of one?
Turning to the proposed interpretation and display of the Newport Ship Project, he stressed that we should not be debating one single 'reconstruction', but FOUR very different 'ships'.
- First, there is the 'Vessel-as-found', the deformed hull, stripped of her mast, her superstructure etc, the shell excavated within the cofferdam.
- Then there is the 'Vessel at the end of her final voyage', as she arrived in Newport in the late 15th century, just before she was stripped down; battered, patched and repaired, but still afloat.
- The third image is of the 'Vessel at the start of her final voyage', before she was damaged.
- And then there is the 'Vessel-as-launched', brand new, without all the later modifications she was subjected to.
Each of these "versions" represents a vital part of her complex history, and arguably needs to be portrayed/ reflected in the 'final' presentational display(s). Consequently Newport should therefore consider at least THREE complementary displays, which could be:
- A simulation of the excavation site, a life-like representation of the hull being recorded within the cofferdam. Such a display would fit neatly within the Arts Centre basement display area and could be produced relatively quickly.
- Following on from a detailed programme of recording and analysis, it would be possible, (several years from now), to build a full-size but partial-reconstruction of the hull of the Newport Ship at the time of her final voyage. This would be an indoor display set within a large custom-built exhibition hall (with room for the Barlands Farm boat etc). The hull itself would incorporate a mixture of the actual conserved timber elements as well as replica timbers to show the form of stern/ rudder assembly, bow and mast etc.
- The third display would involve a full-size replica of the ship as originally launched, complete with masts and sail. The actual process of building such a large wooden sailing ship here in Newport (as part of a Community Archaeology Project) would be as much of a tourist attraction as the other two displays described above.
Recording and Publication
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of these displays, it is obviously essential that a full and detailed recording programme be undertaken. Such a programme is not cheap and would take time and effort: it could incorporate the publication of a long series of academic monographs on e.g. 'the Internal Fittings', 'the Framing', 'the Site & Ship Contents', 'the Conservation & Display', on 'Contemporary Ports & Harbours' etc. Then there would also be more accessible reports on e.g. 'Discovering the Newport Ship' and on 'Reconstructing the Ship' etc.
Obviously such a long-term but exciting project needs careful planning and a clearly defined set of costed objectives if one wishes to maximise the academic, community, and tourist potential. The real challenge for the Newport Ship project is just beginning. Having worked so hard to save the ship, we still have to secure its future.
Gustav Milne is a lecturer at University College London and
the Museum of London, known for his work on the maritime
archaeology of the City of London mediaeval riverfront.
Summary of the presentation 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