Wessex Archaeology

Kennemerland, Out Skerries, Shetland Isles

Designated Site Assessment

Archaeological Report

Ref: 53111.03ll April 2006 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES IN RELATION TO THE PROTECTION OF WRECKS ACT (1973)

KENNEMERLAND, OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND ISLES

DESIGNATED SITE ASSESSMENT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT

Prepared by:

Wessex Archaeology Portway House Old Sarum Park Salisbury Wiltshire SP4 6EB

Prepared for:

Historic Scotland Longmore House Salisbury Place Edinburgh EH9 1SH

April 2006

Ref: 53111.03ll

© Wessex Archaeology Limited 2006 Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No.287786 Kennemerland: Archaeological Report Wessex Archaeology 53111.03ll

KENNEMERLAND, OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND ISLES

DESIGNATED SITE ASSESSMENT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT REF.: 53111.03LL

Summary

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Historic Scotland to undertake a Designated Site Assessment of the wreck of the Kennemerland: a designated wreck located off the islands of the Out Skerries, Shetland Isles. The work was undertaken as part of the Contract for Archaeological Services in Relation to the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973).

The Kennemerland was a ship of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (the Dutch East India Company or VOC). It was wrecked off Out Skerries in December 1664 while en route to Batavia. Britain and the United Provinces of the Free Netherlands were on the verge of war at this time and VOC ships were taking the longer achter om route through the North Sea to avoid the risk of interception in the English Channel. The Kennemerland was attempting this passage when, running ahead of a southerly gale, she struck Stoura Stack at the entrance to Out Skerries natural harbour and broke in half. The wreck's forepart foundered in the deep water adjacent to Stoura Stack and the remaining stern portion was swept into the harbour and washed up on Bruray Island before being swept back out to sea on the following tide. The wreck was discovered in 1971 by members of the Aston University Sub Aqua Club and has subsequently been subject to several seasons of excavation.

Diving operations in the Out Skerries were scheduled to take place between 19th and 26th of August 2005. In the event diving on the Kennemerland site was not possible during this period due to wind conditions averaging Force 6 and on occasion rising to Gale Force 11. As diving was impossible during WA's visit, non-diving tasks were undertaken: a photographic archive was compiled looking over the site in various conditions and three anchors thought to possibly be related to the wreck were found on the island of Bruray and photographed and drawn by WA members. During the post-excavation process a limited archive assessment was conducted. This involved compiling a brief history of the vessel and a summary history of the archaeological investigations on the site.

i Kennemerland: Archaeological Report Wessex Archaeology 53111.03ll

KENNEMERLAND, OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND ISLES

DESIGNATED SITE ASSESSMENT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT REF.: 53111.03LL

Acknowledgements

This investigation was commissioned by Historic Scotland as part of the Contract for Archaeological Services in Relation to the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973). The assistance of the following people is gratefully acknowledged: Pete Pritchard of Pritchard Diving Services; Callum Irivne, skipper of the MV Hegrie; Chris Dobbs for information provided about prior work on the site; Mrs Anna Henderson and the people of Out Skerries for their support and warm welcome.

Fieldwork in Out Skerries was undertaken from the vessel MV Hegrie. The personnel that took part were WA archaeologists Margaret Christie, Frank Mallon, Hanna Steyne and Pete Pritchard. This report was compiled by Niall Callan and Margaret Christie. Kitty Brandon prepared the illustrations and the project was managed for Wessex Archaeology by Steve Webster.

Data Licences

The material derived from the UKHO is subject to licence 820/020220/11 and the conditions on End-Users and Third Parties contained therein. The following chart requests have been added to Schedule 1 Annex A: Digital use of Admiralty Chart 3284 (2002). A copy of the report will be sent to UKHO.

ii Kennemerland: Archaeological Report Wessex Archaeology 53111.03ll

KENNEMERLAND, OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND ISLES

DESIGNATED SITE ASSESSMENT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT REF.: 53111.03LL

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES...... 1 3. EXISTING SITE DATA ...... 2 3.1. Site Position ...... 2 3.2. Available Data...... 2 4. METHODOLOGY ...... 2 4.1. Diving ...... 2 4.2. Tasks Undertaken...... 2 4.3. Desk-based Assessment ...... 3 5. RESULTS ...... 3 5.1. The Kennemerland ...... 3 5.2. Summary Archaeological History ...... 3 6. CONCLUSIONS ...... 5 7. REFERENCES...... 5

Figures

Figure 1 Kennemerland site location

Plates Plate 1 Kennemerland site Plate 2 Installing the GPS system

Front Cover Waves over the site

Back cover The site in calmer conditions

iii Norman’s Bay Wreck: Archaeological Report Wessex Archaeology 53111.03nn

KENNEMERLAND, OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND ISLES

DESIGNATED SITE ASSESSMENT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT Ref.: 53111.03ll

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1.1. This document constitutes a Designated Site Assessment: Archaeological Report for a programme of archaeological work undertaken as part of the Contract for Archaeological Services in Relation to the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973). The document has been prepared by Wessex Archaeology (WA) for Historic Scotland (HS). It constitutes an assessment of the Kennemerland: a designated wreck site located off the islands of the Out Skerries, Shetland Isles.

1.1.2. The work was conducted in accordance with a brief provided by HS. Operations on several sites in the Shetland Isles took place during one session between 19th and 26th of August 2005. During this time diving on the Kennemerland site was not possible due to wind conditions averaging Force 6 and on occasion rising to Gale Force 11. As diving was impossible during WA's visit, non-diving tasks were undertaken: a photographic archive was compiled looking over the site in various conditions and three anchors which may have been related to the wreck were found on the island of Bruray and photographed and drawn by WA members.

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1.1. The overall aim for the site as defined in the brief was for recording to Level 3a. This level is defined in the following table:

Sub- Level Type Objective Character Scope Description level The first stage of a A record that full record of the enables an A detailed site. This would In situ archaeologist who record of include a full 3 has not seen the site 3a Diagnostic selected measured sketch of to comprehend its elements the site and a components, layout of the site. database (or and sequences. equivalent) entry for all surface artefacts.

2.1.2. This was further defined, specifying the following objectives:

• Relocation of the material indicated on the site plan; • Geo-referencing the site plan and any material or features located; • Establishing the extent of the site and the relationship between cultural material and the designated area of the seabed.

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3. EXISTING SITE DATA

3.1. SITE POSITION

3.1.1. The position of the site as given in the Statutory Instrument (SI) is as follows:

Lat. 60° 25’ 12” N Long. 00° 45’ 00” W OSGB 36

3.1.2. The SI number is 19 and from the centre point (given above) the designated area consists of a circle with a radius of 250 metres. There is no current licensee.

3.2. AVAILABLE DATA

3.2.1. Other information available prior to the assessment was as follows:

• Licensee reports; • Archaeological Diving Unit (ADU) reports, 068, 96/14, 2002; • Articles; • Statutory Instrument 1978; • UKHO Data; • NMR Data.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1. DIVING

4.1.1. During WA’s seven-day stay in the Out Skerries diving operations were not possible due to weather conditions. The site, despite being reasonably well sheltered by the islands of Housay, Bruray, Grunay, Old Man Stack and Ubda Stack, is exposed to wind coming up the narrow mouth from the south. WA’s visit was plagued by southerly, south westerly, and south easterly winds averaging a speed of Force 6 and at times reaching Gale Force 11. This incidentally would have been similar to the conditions the Kennemerland would have experienced when she sank. The conditions made mooring over the site that week impossible.

4.2. TASKS UNDERTAKEN

4.2.1. Not being able to moor over the site made diving operations unfeasible. Thus the following non-diving tasks were carried out:

• While attempting to moor over the site WA members visually surveyed the seabed in hope of seeing some of the reported remaining cannon. Although the site is very shallow (<5m) and the water exceptionally clear, thick kelp (Laminaria digitata) obscured the seabed almost completely. • A photographic record was compiled looking over the site in various weather conditions. • Three abandoned anchors thought by some to be related to one of the protected wreck sites were located on the island of Bruray. These were drawn

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and photographed by WA personnel. Subsequent information provided by Chris Dobbs ruled out a link between these anchors and the protected wreck sites.

4.3. DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

4.3.1. During the post-excavation process a limited archive assessment was conducted. This involved compiling a brief history of the vessel and a summary history of the archaeological investigations on the site. These sections were not based on a full assessment of all the documentary sources that may exist, but were rather just a summary of the information in those documents that were readily available to WA.

5. RESULTS

5.1. THE KENNEMERLAND

5.1.1. The Kennemerland was purchased in 1661 by the Amsterdam Chamber, one of the six regional chambers of the VOC, for a price of 33,000 guilders. The records of the Amsterdam Chamber give its measurements as 155ft in length, 35ft in width, 17ft 6in deep with cargo rafters to a height of 7ft. These measurements are recorded in Dutch feet, equivalent to 11in (British). It was armed with 24 cast iron guns, six bronze guns and two minions. This was the usual armament for a ship of its size as stipulated in 1630 by the Heeren XXVII, the central board of the VOC.

5.1.2. In December 1664 the Kennemerland and its companion ship the Rijnland left the Texel for Batavia loaded between them with 240,000 guilders, general cargo and 200 crew. At this time a state of hostility existed between Britain and the United Provinces of the Free Netherlands which would lead to a declaration of war in February of 1665. VOC ships were therefore taking the longer ‘achter om’ route through the North Sea to avoid the risk of interception in the English Channel.

5.1.3. The Kennemerland was running ahead of a southerly gale when she struck Stoura Stack at the entrance to the Out Skerries natural harbour and broke in half. The wreck's forepart foundered in the deep water adjacent to Stoura Stack and the remaining stern portion was swept into the harbour and washed up on Bruray Island, before being swept back out to sea on the following tide. This wrecking process is supported by the pattern of distribution of finds recovered from the excavations on the wreck.

5.2. SUMMARY ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY

5.2.1. Early 18th century: The wreck was dived by William Irvine, a noted Shetland, (though Orkney born) ‘wrack man’. He dived the Kennemerland and De Liefde sites in his ‘diving engine’.

5.2.2. 1971: Divers from Aston University Sub Aqua Club rediscovered the site in 1971. A preliminary survey was undertaken and some finds recovered. These included five anchors, four cast iron cannon, three Bellarmine flagons and a quantity of Overijsselsde Steen bricks.

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5.2.3. 1973: A second season of investigation of the site by Aston and Manchester University Sub Aqua Clubs with Richard Price and Keith Muckelroy was undertaken in 1973. The objectives of this investigation were to gather information about the typical cargo of a VOC ship and to gather information about the manner in which the ship broke up. Six areas (termed A to F) were excavated in the South Mouth of the wreck site. W.A. Forster and K.B. Higgs produced an article on this work for IJNA.

5.2.4. 1974: A third season of investigation occurred in 1974. The excavation of area F was completed. R. Price and K. Muckelroy produce an interim report for IJNA.

5.2.5. 1976: A fourth season of investigation of the site occurred in 1975. The work begun on area C in 1973 was expanded upon and a seventh site, area G was begun. The lifting of 114 lead ingots was undertaken. K. Muckelroy produced a paper for World Archaeology on this work.

5.2.6. 1977: K. Muckelroy and R. Price produced an article for IJNA.

5.2.7. 1978: Designation of site under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973). License to survey and excavate granted to Richard Price and Keith Muckelroy. An underwater metal detector was used in an attempt to delimit the full extent of the site. Experimentation with the production of photographic stereo mosaics was undertaken by Dr. Ian Morrison.

5.2.8. 1979: K. Muckelroy and R. Price produced an article for IJNA.

5.2.9. 1980: K. Muckelroy, R. Price and L. Willies produced an article for IJNA. After the tragic death of K. Muckelroy during this year, no work was undertaken on the site for a further three years.

5.2.10. 1984: The sixth season of investigation of the site took place in 1984. An excavation licence was issued to Chris Dobbs. Excavation continued at the point where the 1978 excavation stopped.

5.2.11. 1987: The seventh season of investigation of the site occurred in 1987. An excavation licence was issued to Chris Dobbs for this work.

5.2.12. 1988: The eighth season of investigation of the site occurred in 1988. A survey licence was issued to Chris Dobbs, and the site was visited by the ADU.

5.2.13. 1991: C. Dobbs and R. Price produced a report for IJNA.

5.2.14. 1992: In 1992 Shetland Islands Council investigated South Mouth with a view to widening the channel and placing appropriate navigational beacons. After liaising with Historic Scotland, a beacon is placed within the designated area without impacting the site.

5.2.15. 1996: The ADU visited the site in 1996. A photographic and video survey was undertaken, and the new navigational beacon was trilaterated onto the site plan.

5.2.16. 2002: The ADU investigate site using an ROV in 2002.

5.2.17. 2005: A WA site assessment was scheduled for 2005.

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6. CONCLUSIONS

6.1.1. In the short term the exposed features need to be relocated, recorded and geo- referenced. This could be done using a surface marker buoy whose position would then be established using either a portable GPS unit on a small boat, or by tracked diver survey.

6.1.2. The site has been drawn and has undergone several phases of excavation. These site plans need geo-referencing to bring the archive up to present-day standards.

6.1.3. Further investigation of the site is needed to assess any recent changes. The current main requirement for the site is for an assessment of the archive with a view to fully publishing the site. A desk-based assessment of the archive would be the easiest means of starting this process.

7. REFERENCES

AUSAC, 1974, The wreck of the Kennemerland, Aston University Sub-Aqua Club, Birmingham.

Dobbs, C.T.C. & Price, R.A., 1991, ‘The Kennemerland site. An interim report. The sixth and seventh seasons, 1984 &1987, and the identification of the five golf clubs’, International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 20.2: 111-122.

Fenwick, V. and Gale, A., 1998, Historic Shipwrecks Discovered, Protected and Investigated, Tempus.

Forster, W.A. & Higgs, K.B., 1973, ‘The Kennemerland, 1971. An interim report’, International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration, 2.2: 291-300.

Henderson, T., 1985, ‘Shipwreck and Underwater Archaeology in Shetland’, in Smith. B. (ed), Shetland Archaeology: new work in Shetland in the 1970s: 175-212

Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS), 1988, The Kennemerland excavations 1987, NAS Newsletter.

Martin, C.J.M., 1987, ‘Pipes from the Dutch East Indiaman Kennemerland, 1664’, in Davey, P. (ed), The Archaeology of the clay tobacco pipe, X, Scotland; BAR British series no. 178: 211-224.

Muckelroy, K., 1976, ‘The integration of historical and archaeological data concerning an historic wreck site: the Kennemerland’, World Archaeology, Volume 7 No. 3.

Price, R. & Muckelroy, K., 1974, ‘The second season of work on the Kennemerland site, 1973. An interim report’, International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration, 3.2: 257-268.

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Price, R. & Muckelroy, K., 1977, ‘The third and fourth seasons 1974 and 1976. An interim report’, International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration, 6.3: 187-218.

Price, R. & Muckelroy, K., 1978, ‘The Kennemerland site. The fifth season, 1978. An interim report’, International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration, 8.4: 311-320.

Price, R., Muckelroy, K. & Willies, L., 1980, ‘The Kennemerland site. A report on the lead ingots’, International Journal of Nautical Archaeology and Underwater Exploration, 9.1: 7-25.

http://www.vocshipwrecks.nl/out_voyages4/kennemerland.html

http://photos.shetland-museum.org.uk

6 Designated Area (250m radius)

Shetland Islands Out Skerries

Kennemerland

Admiralty Chart 3284 (2002)

This product has been derived, in part, from Crown Copyright Material with the permission of the UK Hydrographic Office and the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office (www.ukho.gov.uk) All rights reserved. (Wessex Archaeology Licence Number 820/020220/11) SI position NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION 60 25' 12" N 00 45' 00" W WARNING: The UK Hydrographic Ofice has not verified the information within this product and does not accept liability for the accuracy of reproduction or any modifications made thereafter. (OSGB36) Date: 07/04/05 Revision Number: 0 1:1,500,000,1:40,000 & 1:10,000 Wessex Scale: Illustrator: KJB Archaeology Path: U:\Projects\53111\Drawing Office\.Report Figures\2005\z30_Kennemerland Kennemerland site location Figure 1 Plate 1. Kennemerland site

Plate 2. Installing the GPS system

Wessex Date: 31/10/05 Illustrator: KJB Archaeology Path: U:\Projects\53111\DO\Report Figures\2005\z30 Kennemerland\Preliminary report\Plates.cdr

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