Ron Hann
Posts: 6547
Joined: 14 Aug. 2003
From: Christchurch New Zealand
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I've just finished reading quite an interesting paper-back book "The Wreck of the "Amsterdam" ". [Peter Marsden, Hutchinson & Co., London, 1985]
This vessel was driven ashore in January, 1749, between Hastings and Bulverhithe, in Pevensy Bay.
Unfortunately, the book, while covering quite fully the history of the vessel and the event, pulls up a bit short in regard to the ultimate fate of the vessel.
It covers some attempts at salvaging many of the artefacts on board the vessel, in earlier days, in 1969 when what could only be called a "vandalous attack" was made using mechanical earth-moving equipment, and a few years later when a more methodical attempt was made to investigate the site. It, however, leaves the reader in limbo regarding the actual, final fate of the wreck.
This not the author's fault but because of the fact that, at the time of the edition of the book which I read, the salvaging was an on-going task.
Can anyone tell me if the vessel was ultimately, as was planned, raised and returned tio its City of birth ??
In the meantime, there are numerous references to the salvaging of the vessel, and its contents, when modern-day Laws and principles are applied.
When commenting upon the problems faced by the investigators, the author is moved to write - "In brief, there is nothing that authority and the official world dislike as much as something that has no precedent, and the 'Amsterdam' was unprecedented to a degree which put her outside the scope of Britain's museums or Government departments. She was no one's responsibility as an historic monuments."
Strong words indeed.
However, on a lighter note, it is interesting that the author propounds the theory, or at least mentions it, that a little village in the immediate vicinity of the wreck, gave its name to a nursery rhyme. The vilage was called Bo-peep and is said to explain the ditty "Little Bo-peep". It is said that 'Little Bo-peep' are the Customs Officers, and 'the sheep' are the smugglers who removed goods from shipwrecks, this one in particular. The 'tails behind them', are said to be the contraband which these persons have obtained. True ?? I don't know, but quite plausible.
Another interesting point raised in the book is, when reproducing details of letters written by 'locals' concerning the wreck, two dates are shown regarding the details of the letters. The two dates appear to be about 10 days apart. Now, in the mid-16th. century, occurred the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one but one is compelled to ask why, some 1 and half or two centuries later, references are still made to the old system. The initials N.S. [New System] are shown adjacent to the modified dates.
Has anyone some more details that they would like to add here ??
To finish, it would appear that the Pevensey Bay area is somewhat prone to disasters. It may be recalled that one of the classic "Goon Show" programmes was titled the "Pevensy Bay Disaster" which involved a train with the usual mayhem. However, apparently, around the date that that programme was due to have 'gone to air', a genuine rail disaster occurred in the vicinity and Auntie Beeb, quite rightly, delayed the airing of that particular episode for some time.
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"AMSTERDAM". - 
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