A year after a remarkable shipwreck was uncovered off Sanday, experts have confirmed its identity as the Earl of Chatham, a vessel that sailed from royal wars to Arctic whaling before meeting its end in 1788.
The wreck was first discovered in February 2024, sparking a community effort on the island and drawing in archaeologists, dendrochronologists and historians to piece together its story.
Research funded by Historic Environment Scotland has now revealed that the ship began life as HMS Hind, a Royal Navy warship that survived sieges and naval battles before being renamed and repurposed for whaling voyages into the Arctic.
The vessel’s final chapter came in Orkney’s waters, known as the cradle of shipwrecks, where its remains lay hidden for centuries.
Nick Hewitt of Orkney Islands Council said the find captured the imagination of both locals and historians.
“We’re proud that we were able to assist the Sanday community in the early recovery, reporting and stabilisation efforts in those crucial days following the discovery of this remarkable wreck,” he said.
“Thanks to the quick action of the community in alerting us, we were able to offer expertise and secure urgent funding for a stabilisation tank for the timbers through the National Heritage Memorial Fund.”
That custom‑built tank allowed the wreck’s fragile timbers to be submerged and preserved, buying time for researchers to unlock its secrets.
The work has been led by Wessex Archaeology alongside the Sanday community and Dendrochronicle, combining modern scientific analysis with local knowledge to trace the vessel’s history.
Hewitt described the project as a genuine team effort that continues to bring together islanders, experts and funders.
“Special thanks must go to the National Heritage Memorial Fund who were very quick to respond to our call for help early last year as we raced against time and degrading timbers,” he said.
“Thanks to their rapid response and funding for the stabilisation tank, we have been able to help the community consider a sustainable future for the wreck while important research and community archaeology work has been underway.”
Plans are now being developed to share the story more widely and explore what comes next for the preserved remains of the Earl of Chatham.
For Sanday, it is a discovery that links their shoreline to centuries of global history and a reminder of the hidden tales still resting beneath Scottish seas.
