The story of a mediaeval ship top

In July 2002 the remarkably well preserved remains of a mediaeval ship were discovered during excavation works for a new Arts Centre on the banks of the River Usk in central Newport, South Wales. The discovery took City Council officials by surprise and the significance of the find was at first played down and subsequent reactions suggested that only a small percentage of the timbers would be recovered.

In many ways the discovery could have been anticipated as the area is adjacent to the historic 15th century castle and has been long known as an important port since mediaeval times. Newport, originally Novus Burgus, is only a few miles downstream from the Roman Fortress town of Isca.

Unusually, the hull remains largely intact, and it is estimated to have been over 25 metres in length and 8m beam.

Historic Timeline top

SOS - a public campaign to save the ship top

Despite unprecedented local and international interest the vessel was scheduled for destruction to allow completion of the Arts Centre to its original timetable.

Local residents queued in their thousands to view the excavations were outraged by the suggestion that it may not be recovered. A protest group SOS was formed and manned a continuous 24 hour vigil to draw attention to the issue. The successful high profile campaign "Save Our Ship", uniquely in recent archaeological history captured local imagination as well as expert support and thousands of letters of support flooded in to local council offices and parliamentary representatives.

Newport City Council claimed it was looking at all available sources of funding but the plan was to resume building works on the Art Centre Site on the 27th. August. In the words of a Council representative "…only 5% of the timbers will be preserved"

With only days to go the Newport Ship was saved, thanks to the unprecedented expression of public opinion from the citizens of Newport, the tremendous efforts of local campaigners, and the messages of support from people across the UK and beyond. The National Assembly for Wales and Newport Council announced a plan to preserve the ship with a commitment of £3.5 million to complete excavations, conservation and the construction of a basement display gallery beneath the Arts Centre.

Current issues top

The Friends of the Newport Ship believe that plans for the basement display were made prematurely before the excavations had progressed significantly. The ship timbers are still in the process of being measured. The overall size of the vessel is unknown. What is known from published plans for the space is that:

• The length of the gallery does not allow for reconstructing the ship with its bow and stern sections.

• The width of the gallery does not allow sufficient distance for visitors to view the vessel from both sides.

• It appears that no provision has been made for ongoing conservation facilities.

• It does not allow for other ships found in the area to be displayed in association with the Newport ship.

To view the original plans for the basement display please click here

Friends of the Newport Ship top

The Save Our Ship campaign has now become the Friends of the Newport Ship and has expressions of support from:

• Council for British Archaeology
• Society for Nautical Research
• Nautical Archaeological Society
• National Maritime Museum
• British Maritime Trust
• Severn Estuary Levels Research Committee

Support from international experts including:

• Professor Sean McGrail
• Professor Martin Bell
• Dr. Gustav Milne
• Dr. Owain Roberts
• Dr.Alan Aberg
• Dr. Valerie Fenwick
• Dr.Peter Marsden

To find out more about the Friends of the Newport Ship please click here

Where Is Newport? top

Newport is located on the South Wales coast on the tidal River Usk where it joins the Severn Estuary. The river Usk at Newport has always proved an attractive place - Bronze Age fishermen settled around its fertile estuary and later the Celtic Silures built hill forts overlooking it. On the very edge of their empire, the Roman legions built a fortress at Caerleon to defend the river crossing. And later the Normans built a castle and river crossing at the centre of what is now modern day Newport.

Newport became Britain's newest city in June 2002 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed city status as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations. It is Wales' third largest community where traditional heavy industry exists alongside new electronics and financial service sectors.

Standing at the 'gateway' between England and Wales, Newport is a vibrant place with a long maritime history.

To view location maps please click here