During dredging operations in the Princes Channel a wreck of a C16 armed merchantman was found. The wreck was subsequently excavated by Wessex Archaeology in 2004. Three large sections of the hull were recovered: two parts of the ship's side and one part of the bow section. The ship was possibly a three-masted, 35m long, merchantman, with a lower gundeck housing 6-8 cannon per side. 110 artefacts were recovered, including cannon, lead and tin ingots (the presumed cargo), and leather dress items. Dendrochronological dating suggests a date of construction c.1574. (1)

Wessex Archaeology, 2003, Princes Channel Wreck, Thames Estuary. Evaluation Work: Dendrochronological Dating, Geophysical Survey and Diving Inspection (Unpublished document). SKE55149.

Wessex Archaeology, 2003, Princes Channel Wreck, Thames Estuary. Remedial Archaeological Recording (Unpublished document). SKE55147.

Wessex Archaeology, 2004, Princes Channel Wreck, Thames Estuary. Report of Archaeological Work (Unpublished document). SKE55148.

<1> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, Princes Channel Wreck, Thanes Estuary. Phase III Summary Report (Unpublished document). SKE17160.