Odyssey said it discovered the wreckage almost 100 km from where the ship was historically believed to have foundered on a reef near the Channel Islands.
Two bronze cannons, including a 12-pounder featuring the royal arms of George II and a 4 ton, 42-pounder bearing the crest of George I. The huge 42-pounder recovered is the only known example of a gun of this type and size currently in existence on dry land.
42-pound bronze cannon being recovered
from the HMS Victory shipwreck
During these operations, evidence was discovered of substantial damage to the site from natural deterioration, scouring, extensive fishing trawl net damage and the intrusion of modern trash and debris.
“Rather than staying frozen in time beneath the waves, this unique shipwreck is fading fast,” warns marine archaeologist Dr. Sean Kingsley, Director of Wreck Watch International.
“The Victory lies in an area of intensive trawling, and her hull and contents are being ploughed away by these bulldozers of the deep day in, day out.
"Leaving the Victory’s rich archaeology so vulnerable to the ravages of man is like allowing a motorway to smash straight through a historic site on land without excavating it.
"The archaeological recovery of the artifacts from the site should begin as soon as possible or the story of England’s most important lost man-of-war may not survive to be told.”
The discovery last Spring Odyssey’s work on the Victory site was filmed for Discovery Channel’s “Treasure Quest” were rolling. It will be shown in the UK on Sunday, February 8 at 9PM.
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