Aircraft Crash Sites at Sea: a Scoping Study
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Wessex Archaeology Aircraft Crash Sites at Sea A Scoping Study Archaeological Desk-based Assessment Ref: 66641.02 February 2008 AIRCRAFT CRASH SITES AT SEA: A SCOPING STUDY ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT:FINAL REPORT Prepared by: Wessex Archaeology Portway House Old Sarum Park Salisbury WILTSHIRE SP4 6EB Prepared for: English Heritage February 2008 Ref: 66641.02 © Wessex Archaeology Limited 2008 Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No.28778 Aircraft Crash Sites at Sea: A Scoping Study Wessex Archaeology 66641.02 AIRCRAFT CRASH SITES AT SEA: A SCOPING STUDY ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT:FINAL REPORT Ref: 66641.02 Summary Wessex Archaeology have been funded by English Heritage through the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund to undertake a scoping study to identify current gaps in data and understanding relating to aircraft crash sites at sea. The study arises partly out of the discovery of aircraft parts and associated human remains as a result of marine aggregate dredging. The objectives of the Scoping Study are as follows: x to review existing literature relating to the archaeology of aircraft crash sites at sea, existing guidance, and the legislative context; x to clarify the range and archaeological potential of aircraft crash sites, by presenting examples of aircraft crash sites, which will include a range of site conditions and mechanisms affecting site survival, their management and investigation; x to establish the relationship, in terms of numbers and composition, between the National Monuments Record record of crash sites/casualties at sea, and the possible extent of the overall resource, the surviving resource of aircraft in preservation, and aviation history overall; x to identify and describe possible additional sources of data, situated both in the UK and abroad, relating to aircraft crash sites; x to gauge, by active engagement, public interest and values in respect of aircraft crash sites at sea; x to summarise the role and interests of existing authorities and stakeholders in aircraft crash sites; x to contribute to interim guidance for the marine aggregate industry on the reporting, management and investigation of aircraft crash sites at sea; to be forthcoming as part of the ALSF dissemination project; x to make the results of the project available to specialist and general audiences, both in England and globally. Thousands of aircraft are likely to have been lost in UK territorial and near-territorial waters during the 20th century. A high proportion of these losses are likely to be combat losses or accidental losses of military aircraft that occurred during WWII. The potential resource is therefore very large. i Aircraft Crash Sites at Sea: A Scoping Study Wessex Archaeology 66641.02 The number of known aircraft crash sites on the seabed as recorded by the National Monuments Record and local Sites and Monuments Records and Historic Environment Records is relatively small. The known resource is therefore relatively small. Notwithstanding issues concerning survival, the potential therefore exists for the presence of a very large number of currently unknown crash sites on the seabed and, to some extent, in the inter-tidal zone. Recent discoveries of previously unknown aircraft crash sites in licenced marine aggregate dredging areas suggests that there is a need for urgent national and local record enhancement in areas of seabed likely to be impacted by human activities. The discrepancy between the known resource and the potential resource can be addressed by research of both primary and secondary material. However, there is a huge amount of this material and it is not complete. There is also likely to be a lack of good quality data concerning the positions of losses. Enhancing existing databases is likely to be very time consuming and therefore can most effectively be achieved by harnessing the information and expertise of existing aviation researchers, both in the UK and abroad. Much of the work undertaken by these researchers is not geographically orientated and may require further work in this respect. In addition much of it is currently unpublished and therefore vulnerable to loss. Seabed and inter-tidal environments, particularly those that result in burial or other favourable preservation environments, currently offer the potential for much more intact survival than most terrestrial sites. This can be seen in the case studies examined as part of this project. However, locating well preserved sites is problematic and currently largely a matter of chance. Management and research considerations are dominated by the application of the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 to most of the sites that constitute the resource. They are also complicated by the possible presence of human remains from what are, archaeologically speaking, recent casualties and by various international interests. English Heritage has devised a method of assessing the importance of aircraft crash sites through research conducted for the Monuments Protection Programme. The approach suggested appears to be simple and effective, although lists of ‘extinct’ and otherwise important aircraft need updating. Through the same research a basic research agenda that could be applied to aircraft crash sites on the seabed has been suggested. This requires more detail and imput from all stakeholders to ensure that it becomes a truly workable strategy. An agreed means of risk assessing known aircraft crash sites is not currently available. The question of preservation in situ needs further consideration and consultation. A preservation in situ policy has been advanced by English Heritage in relation to archaeological sites on the seabed in the last few years. However current English Heritage guidelines for managing aircraft crash sites do not envisage the preservation in situ of most aircraft remains and control of the licencing process is not directly in the hands of English Heritage. Aircraft crash sites appear to be of widespread interest to the general public and to special interest groups. Numerous potential stakeholders have been identified, some of whom, such as aircraft recovery groups, may not have research agendas that sit entirely comfortably with current heritage management thinking. This needs to be addressed further. The following key recommendations are made: ii Aircraft Crash Sites at Sea: A Scoping Study Wessex Archaeology 66641.02 x Aircraft crash sites at sea should be given greater attention and priority in both research and management agendas on both national and regional levels. x The existing national and local monument records require enhancement in respect of aircraft crash sites at sea order to make them more useful. Priority should be given to incorporating existing relevant unpublished research over undertaking original research. x A more detailed and specific national research agenda for aviation archaeology should be established. The approach taken should be flexible and should address and incorporate the potential interests of all stakeholders. The agenda set out in Modern Military Matters, together with an updated list of ‘extinct’ aircraft would be a suitable starting point. x Existing guidance for marine industries does not fully address the specific problems of aircraft crash sites. Additional archaeological and heritage management guidance specific to aircraft crash sites should therefore be prepared for all sectors of marine industry that may have an impact upon aircraft crash sites. x Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre and the British Aviation Archaeology Council should be encouraged to continue to promote and improve basic standards of archaeological recording and reporting amongst Protection of Military Remains Act licence holders. x A method of risk assessing aircraft crash sites is required. The approach adopted in relation to sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) is recommended (EH 2007). x Research should be undertaken in a number of areas in order to inform the above guidance and to assist in the management of aircraft crash sites. Draft interim guidance for the marine aggregate industry on dealing with aircraft crash sites at sea has been produced. This builds on the existing industry protocol for reporting finds of archaeological interest and is included as an Appendix in the report. iii Aircraft Crash Sites at Sea: A Scoping Study Wessex Archaeology 66641.02 AIRCRAFT CRASH SITES AT SEA: A SCOPING STUDY ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT:FINAL REPORT Ref: 66641.02 Acknowledgements This assessment was commissioned by English Heritage. The assistance provided by Helen Keeley, Ian Oxley, Dr Vince Holyoak, Ian Schofield, the NMR Data Team, Mark Dunkley and others at English Heritage is gratefully acknowledged. Wessex Archaeology would also like to thank the following people and organisations who have provided information or comment used in the study (in alphabetical order). For brevity individual members of staff at the organisations listed are not named: x AAIR Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research x Air Historical Branch x Air Accident Investigation Branch x Alan Turner x Albert F. Simpson Historical Research Centre, USA x Association of Local Governnment Archaeological Officers Maritime Committee and individual members x Bentwaters Aviation Society x Bill Morgan x Blue Turtle Dive Charters Ltd. x Bournemouth Aviation Museum x Boulton Paul Aircraft Museum x Brian Boulton x Bristol Industrial Museum x British Aviation Archaeology Council