Coronation Wreck Project

22/09/2026

Follow-up work today after our summer survey dives at the Coronation. We relocated the Pulley Wheel found earlier in the year, and also had a visit from three massive Seahares, and a very inquisitive Cuttlefish. Vizability was 8-10 mtrs today. We will follow this up with measuring and recording soon.

06/09/2026

Coronation Wreck Project: Blog Number 3:
A protected wreck licensee’s work is never done

One of the first things many divers realise or comment on when they first start diving is simply the scale. Yes, we all know the earth is 71/72% covered by the sea but it is only when your head drops below the waves that the expanse is truly understood.

People who have not been lucky enough to experience the world under the surface often seem to think that finding, documenting and maintaining wreck sites is easy – “That’s where the ship sank, dive there”

Of course, we know this not to be the case. Along with that huge expanse, conditions on the surface and subsea, the passing years and conflicting accounts or simply lack of information all add up to making the discovery and documentation of historic wrecks extremely challenging.

Add to this the everchanging and moving seabed in our shallow, rough waters here in the southwest and the reasons for the constant and ongoing research into HMS Coronation become very apparent. The discovery of the captain’s chamber pot last year, almost fifty years after her original identification clearly underlines this.
But of course, if it was easy, it would be boring – and the anticipation that on any dive, you could find something that no one has seen in over 330 years adds to the interest of this work.

Bearing all this in mind, the Coronation Wreck Project team are continually working to ensure the sites, recovered objects, information and history of this amazing vessel are maintained and improved. Across the summer 2026 dive season, volunteer groups have been undertaking various tasks (we dive all year round but make the best we can of the summer season).

At the end of August, 2 days were spent diving from DSV Red Alert on the “Bosun’s Locker” area of the main offshore wreck site, cleaning and marking the Diver Trail site guide markers. In addition, we have been marking known artefacts so that anything new emerging from the sand can be easily identified.

On an interesting side note, on day 2 of our latest project dives, one team dived as a trio rather than a buddy pair. We know there are mixed opinions about this – predominantly with respect to diver separation and most particularly in recreational diving where one of the three can be a stranger to the other two.
However, in other circumstances, and certainly in the case of our project dives, an extra person can be a distinct advantage – out trio comprised three very experienced divers highly trained in diver medicine and first aid and extremely knowledgeable about the dive site.
This therefore enhanced the safety of the dive and the efficiency of the work.

During day 2, some of our teams were deployed on the edge of Elk Reef – just off the edge of the reef is a large anchor which could be the Best Bower (Main Anchor) from the Coronation. This remains unconfirmed but from what is known of the storm, the vessel’s position and the location of the wreck site in Lady Cove, it is quite possible that this anchor did come from the Coronation. It was likely it was deployed to try to keep her on station during the storm that caused her to wreck.

The teams subsequently drifted with the tide from the anchor towards the wreck site in Lady Cove where they completed more project tasks.
So, as we come to the approaching autumn, we look forward to more winter dives and more interesting news from the Coronation Wreck Project team.
All our voluntary work is assisted by the generous support of Historic England (Maritime Team), MSDS Marine (Heritage), Devonport Naval Heritage Centre and Discovery Divers, Dive Charters.

If you are interested in helping with the project, then please get in touch via the website or page. Divers and non-divers are most welcome.

Don’t forget that it is possible to see artefacts from the Coronation at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre. Details of the centre and opening times can be found here: https://devonportnhc.wordpress.com/

If your group or dive club want to dive the site, then please contact us here: https://www.coronationwreck.org/divers.html

Picture credits: Anchors - Catherine Gill, Others - Paul Aldersley

03/09/2026

⚓ 335 years ago today, the Coronation sank.

On 3 September 1691, the warship Coronation was lost during a violent storm off Plymouth, leaving behind a wreck site that continues to reveal stories more than three centuries later.

Today, on the anniversary of her loss, Mark and Alison had the rather special opportunity to take a piece of that story onto the set of BBC’s Digging for Britain.

They brought with them the famous Skelton Plate, recovered from the Coronation wreck site – an object that provides a tangible connection with the ship, the people aboard her and the events of that day 335 years ago.

From the seabed to the Digging for Britain set, 335 years later – not a bad journey for one plate!

We can’t say too much more just yet… but keep an eye out for the new series! 👀⚓📺

03/09/2026

335 years ago today, HMS Coronation was lost off the coast of Plymouth.

Part of the Royal Navy Fleet engaged in the war with France in 1691 she was sheltering - in Torbay.

Ironically, bearing in mind the summer we have just been through in 2026. summer 1691 had been very stormy and dangerous for the British Fleet.

Calmer weather encouraged the Fleet to set sail and attempt to engage the French.

However the weather turned rapidly and on September the 3rd 1691, the fleet, including HMS Coronation turned for the shelter of Plymouth. Even with out the breakwater we now know so well, Plymouth was still a great sheltered port.

How the Coronation foundered is not exactly known but we know she deployed anchors - maybe in an attempt to hold station in the storm. We do know that at least 500 souls were lost.

After years of questions, controversy and questions, and hundreds of dives, Peter Mcbride confirmed the identity of the Coronation Wreck when he found a pewter plate bearing the coat of arms of the captains family.

The known remains of HMS Coronation are across two sites - both of which are protected.

Research and maintenance of the site continues with a dedicated team of volunteer divers and other working together.

2026 has seen a number of project dives carrying out a variety of jobs on the site.

2025 saw the exciting discovery of the captains chamber pot - a very rare find worldwide. This, along with many other artefacts can be seen at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre.

Details of the Coronation Wreck Project can be seen at the website: https://www.coronationwreck.org/index.html

Requests for groups/clubs to dive the site can also be made via the website

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On our history page you will discover the details of the Coronation and her launch and wreck. Sheltering in a gale off Plymouth in September 1691, Coronation’s anchor cables parted and there is a view that she was dismasted, capsized and driven aground. All of her crew apart from an estimated 17 -...

18/07/2026

More info on Cath and Becky’s astonishing find 👌👏

18/07/2026

Our good friends Becky and Cath had a fantastic discovery recently on neighbouring protected wreck site

See about it here

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c304lnnmvdgo?at_medium=social&at_campaign_type=owned&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_link_type=web_link&at_link_id=FAF49A9E-82AC-11F1-94FB-8A9350AD2D5F&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_format=image&at_link_origin=BBC_Devon&at_campaign=Social_Flow&fbclid=IwdGRjcATIbthwZG9mBWZkaWQWUKzSdousb6hQ8hzTM3v2Qrwxs9Jw7WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7pGopvX2n-N8tgWw08hNi3YhTvw0zA688kjj2NF87wqz7O6AZ5o7V-nXCVDw_aem_vCwq5-6aRFNOJy5vVkgUwQ

Previous discoveries from the area include gold ingots and more than 400 gold coins.

08/07/2026

Our survey team dives turn up interesting artefacts which turn out not to be contemporary with the Coronation

It’s hardly surprising when the port of Plymouth has been used for thousands of years,

This week a small clay pipe was found on the debris trail, much further south than the protected area

Rather than the usual shape, this one was rather unusual in its appearance.
Chinese influences, it shows a dragon, with its claws clutching an egg.
The bowl of the pipe being the egg,
Beautiful in design, and dated to approximately 1880-1900
They were mainly German in manufacture, a complete examples included in the pictures

Was this a WWW1 discarded object? A trophy? Who knows its story, but interesting to ponder what may have been.

A lovely little object that will feature in our ‘found around the sound’ project - coming shortly to a
Museum near you!

04/07/2026

☀️ June has been an exceptionally busy month for our emergency team so, with another heatwave on the way, here's a friendly reminder to dive safely 🌊🤿

We're always here when divers need us, and it's a privilege to help every patient who comes through our doors. But if we're honest... we'd much rather see you enjoying your dive in the water than spending the day with us in the chamber! 😊

One recent patient spent over eight hours undergoing treatment on one of the hottest days of the year. They hadn't done anything wrong, they were simply unlucky. It's an important reminder that even when you plan well, dive within your limits and follow best practice, things can still happen. That's why it's so important to do everything you can to reduce the risks that are within your control.

As the warm weather continues and more people head for the water, please remember to:

💧 Stay well hydrated before and after diving.
🤿 Dive within your training, experience and limits.
⏱️ Plan your dives carefully and stick to your dive plan.
👥 Dive with a buddy and carry out your pre-dive checks.
🌊 If you're feeling unwell, tired or dehydrated, consider leaving the dive for another day.

Our team will always be here if you need us though - 24 hours a day.

Have a fantastic summer, enjoy the water, look after yourselves and your dive buddies, and most importantly... dive safe. 💙

01/07/2026

Every year, we continue our extensive searching of the Wrecksite and the debris trail. We explore areas that haven’t ever been dived, or at least not for a very long time. Over time, the sand and sea floor move, exposing previously unseen artefacts. So with each visit to an area, it’s very possible we will see something new.

On the 25th of June this year, our divers were conducting one of these such dives in the southern unprotected areas of the known site when they came across a spoon in a sandy gulley.

The spoon looked contemporary with the Coronation, so its location was carefully logged, and the spoon recovered and droited with the ROW accordingly.

It turns out under expert eyes to be an easy one to date and identify. Thanks to our wizard researchers at MSDS Marine, and particularly ‘Jack the intern’, it was confirmed as a 17th Century Pewter Spoon, with a fig shaped bowl. The makers mark is on the inside of the bowl near the handle. Not seen at first, but once told where to look, there it was!

While a common eating implement of its day, on the site, it’s certainly a rare find.

Now its been sent off for conservation under the careful eye of our ever patient conservator Carola. It will be stabilised and studied, with the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre museum display being its hopeful final destination.

We look forward to showing it to you when it’s finished!

What all this shows is that The Coronation Wreck Project isn’t just one or two people, it’s a highly valued team of various skills, and a collaboration of knowledge from all over the United Kingdom. Each one adds something to the story, and contributes to the team results.
Do remember, we are always looking for more to help!
If you think you can, please contact us! - that includes non divers who would help with such things as web systems!

01/07/2026

So members of the core CWP team and new visiting divers completed two days of diving on the Coronation sites and surrounding magnetic anomaly targets with some interesting results. The Diver Trail recieved some TLC and the cannons inspected for active corrosion. Great two days diving working off Red Alert DSV and with the ever cheerful and professional skipper Danny Daniels. Same again in a fortnight.