A Life Less than Ordinary: The Schooner Ocean (1821-1865).

Area of Science:

• Maritime Archaeology
• 19th-Century British Maritime History
• Coastal Heritage

Background:

• The East Winner Bank Shipwreck, located near Hayling Island, UK, is a 19th-century carvel-built vessel.
• The dynamic sandbank environment limits full wreck exposure, complicating archaeological study.
• Previous surveys and documentary research suggest a potential identification for the wreck.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the East Winner Bank Shipwreck using combined historical and archaeological methods.
• To explore an under-researched example of an everyday 19th-century British coastal trading vessel.
• To contribute to understanding maritime technologies and the cultural landscape of ordinary seafarers.

Main Methods:

• Documentary source analysis, including historical records and previous surveys.
• Archaeological examination of the wreck site, adapted for COVID-19 social-distancing restrictions.
• Integration of historical and archaeological data for enhanced interpretation.

Main Results:

• The wreck is identified as a typical 19th-century coastal trading vessel.
• Work was successfully conducted on-site despite COVID-19 restrictions.
• The study demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary data integration.

Conclusions:

• The East Winner Bank Shipwreck offers insights into common maritime practices and technologies of the 19th century.
• The investigation highlights the importance of studying everyday vessels to understand broader maritime cultural landscapes.
• Combining historical and archaeological data provides a more comprehensive interpretation of maritime heritage.