Police Investigate Damage to Protected HMS Coronation Wreck Site

Protected HMS Coronation site allegedly damaged by illegal equipment

An investigation is underway after fishing equipment was found placed illegally on the protected wreck site of HMS Coronation, a historic warship that sank off the coast of Cornwall more than 330 years ago.

Devon & Cornwall Police are looking into reports that fishing pots were placed across the wreck site and nearby underwater diving trail, potentially causing damage to the fragile remains of the ship.

The HMS Coronation was a 90-gun Second Rate Ship of the Line which sank in a gale off Penlee in 1691. Around 600 sailors are thought to have died in the disaster. The wreck is protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, which bans activity that could harm, interfere with or obscure the site.

📷Image of model HMS Coronation (above). Credit: Kreigstein Collection

Heritage site under threat

The damage is being investigated by the police Rural Affairs team in partnership with Historic England’s maritime archaeologists and heritage crime specialists.

Police Sergeant Julian Fry from the Rural Affairs team and national lead for Operation Birdie said:

“The south west is home to 21 of the UK’s 57 protected wrecks. It’s so important for us, and those out on sea, to play our part in keeping these historic sites safe from any damage.

We’re urging the fishing community to avoid placing any fishing equipment near the HMS Coronation, and indeed any other protected wreck sites around the UK.

Whilst we fully support the local fishing industry, preservation of these nationally important heritage sites is essential.

We thank the fishing industry in advance for their cooperation.”

Wreck lies in two parts

The wreck of the HMS Coronation lies in two separate locations, one inshore and one offshore. Access to the site is controlled by a licence scheme run by Historic England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Protected wreck sites are clearly marked on navigational charts and are listed on the National Heritage List for England:

• Inshore site: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000070

• Offshore site: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000069

📷Image of the tags attached to illegally placed fishing pots (above). Photo credit: MSDS Marine

Work underway to prevent further damage

Rural Affairs police officers are also engaging with fishing communities in Cornwall and wider Devon to raise awareness and help prevent similar incidents from happening again.

The action forms part of Operation Birdie, a national effort focused on tackling illegal interference with historic wreck sites. Officers from the team also work on other rural and heritage crime issues including poaching, machinery theft and livestock crime.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity around protected wrecks is encouraged to contact the police directly via the Devon & Cornwall Police reporting page. More information on rural and heritage crime is available here.

📷Photo of diver at the HMS Coronation site (above). Credit: Coronation Wreck Project