Fort Victoria and Needles Wreck Site: Maritime Heritage Exhibition

English Heritage MRTM summaries. 2003/2004

Over the past 12 years the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (HWTMA) has been accruing extensive maritime archaeological knowledge of the Solent region enabling an informed interpretation of the resource. This allows the identification of shipwrecks and drowned landscapes, the circumstances of their loss, methods for efficient interrogation of the remains and the acquisition of new information. The data recovered from sites is often unique, interrogation of which helps to reconstruct the cultural building blocks upon which our modern way of life is based. The HWTMA is looking to disseminate and reflect this in its Maritime Heritage Exhibition at Fort Victoria.

Enhancements of the Maritime Heritage Exhibition will introduce the processes of archaeological investigation to complement the current displays. This will include the creation of an archaeological site and its discovery, survey, recovery and conservation by archaeologists. Underwater video footage will be collected and edited to show investigations and work on underwater archaeological sites. The audiovisual elements of the display will be supplemented by interactive exhibits and simulated archaeological activities. The provision of a practical component will allow visitors to relate the artefacts and information to real situations, previously the preserve of divers. The displays will highlight the relevance of the past, encouraging occupants of the 21st century to engage with their heritage.

In addition to enhancements of the exhibition, the HWTMA is looking to increase access and understanding of the underwater historic environment for the diving community. Dive trails are being created to enable divers to experience underwater archaeological sites in an informed and controlled manner.

Two areas are being set up to host Diver Trails. The first is in Alum Bay where two wrecks are linked by a reef. The diver trail will take people from one wreck to the other along a path of reference 'stations'. Each will be placed adjacent to a site of archaeological or marine biological interest. The divers will be provided with an information booklet which will contain plans of the wrecks and reef.

The second Dive Trail is around The Needles protected wreck site, which predominately contains the remains of HMS Pomone. The site lies in undulating geology of chalk gullies and can be very confusing in limited visibility. Here, a fixed line will be laid between interesting features next to which reference 'stations' are to be positioned. The divers will be given an underwater booklet with information and a site plan. The combination of information booklets and reference 'stations' is proving to be a very good method to guide and inform visitors about the sites while increasing their appreciation of the archaeology.

Access to the dive trails will be operated from the Maritime Heritage Exhibition and will be part of a 'dive trail experience'. Divers will attend a talk about the wrecks before the dive and be shown footage of the sites. Following the dives they will be debriefed and have a tour around the exhibition.

This page was published on 09/03/04