On January 27, the conservation organization Historic England announced the discovery of the wreck of the warship Klein Hollandia (Netherlands) off the southern coast of England.
The Klein Hollandia was “identified” following research conducted by Historic England, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), and the Maritime Archaeology Society.
The warship Klein Hollandia sank after a surprise attack in 1672. (Source: The Daily Telegraph).
The wreck was previously referred to as “The unidentified wreck off Eastbourne” after being discovered at a depth of 32 meters near this coastal resort in 2019.
Artifacts found on the seabed include a large portion of the wooden hull, cannons, marble stones, and fragments of Italian ceramics.
Researchers examined the materials found and analyzed the tree rings of the wood samples to identify the vessel.
According to Historic England, the condition of the wreck is quite exceptional and could provide significant insights into Dutch shipbuilding practices in the 17th century and the operations of the Klein Hollandia during its final journey.
The Klein Hollandia participated in all major battles during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667).
The ship sank while carrying a cargo of marble slabs intended for building homes for the nobility. On its journey from the Mediterranean to the Netherlands, the vessel was attacked by a British war fleet and sustained severe damage.
According to Historic England, after the ship’s commander was killed in the battle, British sailors boarded the Klein Hollandia, but the ship ultimately sank along with both the British and Dutch crew members.
This surprise attack is believed to have marked the beginning of the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672-1674).
