History Extra Podcast: "Shipwrecks: A Porthole to the Past" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 23, 2024

Introduction

In the "Shipwrecks: A Porthole to the Past" episode of the History Extra Podcast, host Emily Briffett engages in an insightful conversation with maritime archaeologist and author David Gibbons. Drawing from his extensive experience and his latest work, A History of the World in 12 Shipwrecks, Gibbons delves deep into the fascinating world of shipwrecks and their significant role in uncovering human history.

Discovering Shipwrecks: The Art of Exploration

Emily Briffett begins by exploring the romantic notion of discovering shipwrecks, researching them, and the hands-on experience of diving to these underwater time capsules.

David Gibbons explains the primary methods of discovering shipwrecks:

• Visual Exploration: Most shipwrecks are located near the coast, accessible through snorkeling and diving without the need for advanced technology. "Most of the shipwrecks that I've discovered have been just using my eyeballs." (03:15).
• Research and Records: For historic wrecks, existing records along coastlines, such as those in Cornwall, provide general locations.
• Physical Dive Experience: The excitement of physically encountering a shipwreck is unparalleled. "It's a very sort of immediate exposure when you're in the water to this great excitement when you suddenly see a cannon or an ancient amphora looming out of the depths in front of you." (03:50).

Accessibility and Challenges of Shipwreck Dives

Emily contrasts the tangible experience of diving with archival research, questioning the accessibility of shipwrecks and the history they hold.

David highlights the varying accessibility of wreck sites:

• Shallow Wrecks: Easily visible from the surface, allowing extended exploration. "The shallower a wreck is, the longer you can spend there." (04:30).
• Deep Wrecks: Present significant challenges, including physiological risks like nitrogen narcosis. "You have quite a lot of physiological issues to contend with going deep and having to be concerned with nitrogen sickness." (04:50).
• Emotional Impact: Diving into wrecks often evokes a profound emotional response, especially when encountering remnants of tragic events. "It gives you that extra little edge because you know that these people are living abbreviated lives." (12:37).

Shipwrecks as Time Capsules: Insights into History

Emily probes into what shipwrecks can reveal about historical contexts and human experiences.

David articulates the multifaceted insights shipwrecks provide:

• High-Resolution Archaeological Context: Shipwrecks capture a single moment in time, offering a concentrated snapshot of historical events. "They are really time capsules." (08:26).
• Personal Histories: Artifacts from wrecks like the Mary Rose offer intimate glimpses into the lives of individuals otherwise lost to history. "It's about accessing individuals, and it's about accessing people like us." (09:10).
• Broader Historical Context: Shipwrecks illuminate broader themes such as maritime trade, warfare, and cultural exchanges. "They tell us about seafaring, about maritime trade, warfare, maritime culture." (08:40).

Notably, David discusses the Mary Rose, a Tudor warship:

• Historical Significance: Sunk in 1545, its excavation revealed not only the ship itself but also the remains and personal belongings of its crew, bridging high-level political history with the personal experiences of common sailors. "We can relate to that." (09:00).

Emotional Connection and Human Endurance

Emily inquires about the emotional resonance of exploring shipwrecks, especially those marked by tragedy.

David responds with profound reflections:

• Emotional Resonance: Diving into wrecks associated with loss elicits a deep emotional connection. "There's this sort of massive excitement of that moment when I get in the water." (12:37).
• Human Endurance: Stories of survival, such as that of the SS Gersapa, exemplify incredible human resilience in the face of adversity. "When we are put in situations of great duress, we can come up with incredible strength." (17:02).
• Fatalism and Preparedness: Historical seafaring involved a constant awareness of mortality and the unpredictable nature of voyages. "They have to be mentally prepared." (17:15).

Significant Shipwrecks and Their Historical Impact

Emily seeks examples of shipwrecks from David's book that have had profound historical implications.

David highlights several key wrecks:

1. Royal Anne Galley (1721):

   • Voyage and Purpose: Tasked with transporting the new governor to Barbados and combating piracy in the Caribbean.
   • Tragic End: Wrecked off Lizard Point with only three survivors from approximately 210 onboard. "This is within a stone's throw offshore." (18:00).
   • Piracy Context: Emphasizes the real threat posed by Barbary pirates and the Royal Navy's role in suppressing piracy. "Pirates are nowhere near as glamorous mostly as they're made out to be." (23:24).

2. Bronze Age Wreck off Uluberun, Turkey:

   • Historical Context: A vessel from the Near East laden with copper and tin ingots essential for bronze production.
   • Economic Impact: The cargo could equip an entire Bronze Age army, indicating significant economic and political implications. "This is the underwater equivalent of King Tut's tomb." (20:38).

3. SS Gersapa (1941):

   • World War II Connection: A British merchant ship sunk off Ireland, carrying silver and mail.
   • Survival Story: The second officer, Richard Ayres, survived a harrowing two-and-a-half-week journey to Cornwall aboard a lifeboat after the ship sank. "It's an endlessly astonishing fact when you read stories of shipwreck where there is survival." (17:02).

4. Santa Cruz di Castello (1667):

   • Identification Challenges: Initially unidentified, it was eventually matched to historical records through artifacts bearing date stamps and a fragment of the ship's bell.
   • Trade Insights: Carried spices from India via the Dutch East India Company, shedding light on 17th-century maritime trade. "We've been able to relate the documentary and the archaeological evidence very well." (34:56).

Piracy, Treasure Hunting, and Archaeological Integrity

Emily raises concerns about piracy and the conflicts between treasure hunters and archaeologists.

David addresses these issues thoughtfully:

• Historical Piracy: Beyond the romanticized image, piracy was a grim and persistent threat, particularly in regions like the Barbary Coast. "Pirates are nowhere near as glamorous mostly as they're made out to be." (23:24).
• Treasure Hunting vs. Archaeology:
  • Conflicting Interests: Treasure hunters driven by profit often clash with archaeologists seeking historical insights. "It's very difficult to see a melding of interests where you've got profit motivation, on the one hand, fueling treasure hunting, and for me, the much richer treasure of historical revelation." (23:24).
  • Conservation Concerns: Salvaging activities can irreparably damage wreck sites, reducing their historical value. "It's distressing sometimes because I have been on wrecks which are really historically significant, and you can see they look like bomb sites because people have looted them." (27:39).
  • Preservation Efforts: Emphasizes the importance of scientific investigation over commercial salvage to maintain archaeological integrity. "Doing it archaeologically... allows this incredible fountain of excitement and information to blossom." (27:28).

Losses and Preservation Challenges

Emily inquires about the extent of historical losses due to salvage and environmental factors.

David provides a comprehensive overview:

• Environmental Degradation: Natural forces like storms and tidal movements can scatter and deteriorate wreck sites. "The environment is definitely the biggest factor." (30:36).
• Human-Induced Damage: Historical and modern salvaging efforts have stripped many wrecks of valuable artifacts and structural integrity. "A lot of salvage work went on during the early period of intensive scuba diving off Britain." (30:36).
• Conservation Techniques: Advanced methods, such as treating wood with polyethylene glycol, are essential for preserving artifacts post-excavation. "The timbers of the Mary Rose... were treated to be replaced with polyethylene glycol." (43:00).

Advancements in Maritime Archaeology

Emily explores how diving practices and preservation attitudes have evolved since the 1960s.

David outlines significant changes:

• Scientific Discipline Emergence: Pioneers like George Bass formalized maritime archaeology as a scientific field, emphasizing methodical recording and excavation techniques. "George Bass... became really the father of maritime archaeology as a scientific discipline." (39:31).
• Legal Protections: The UK's Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) safeguards historically significant wrecks, restricting unauthorized divers. "Divers are not allowed legally to go onto the sites without a license." (39:31).
• Training and Education: Modern divers often receive training in nautical archaeology, promoting responsible exploration. "Divers now have done some form of training in the techniques of nautical archaeology." (42:56).
• Preservation Philosophy: Contemporary practices prioritize in situ preservation and detailed recording over artifact recovery. "The philosophy now... is to preserve in situ, if at all possible." (43:00).

Future Endeavors and Recommendations

Emily inquires about David's future projects and recommendations for enthusiasts.

David shares his aspirations and resources:

• Ongoing Investigations: Continues exploring wrecks like the Santa Cruz di Castello, anticipating further discoveries related to art and literature aboard. "She was about 99.9% certainly carrying two paintings by Rembrandt." (45:38).
• Public Engagement: Encourages listeners to engage with maritime history through museums and online resources. "The first port of call would be my book and the additional material on my website with links to the sites for individual ongoing projects." (47:06).
• Museum Visits: Recommends visiting renowned maritime museums such as the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth and the Vasa Museum in Stockholm for immersive experiences. "If you have the chance to go to Portsmouth and spend time there, it's the most revelatory experience." (47:06).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with David Gibbons emphasizing the boundless possibilities in maritime archaeology. His passion for uncovering and preserving shipwreck stories serves as an inspiration for both historians and enthusiasts alike. "Any wreck can produce extraordinary discoveries, but the environment is definitely the biggest factor. And the future holds endless possibilities." (45:38).

Notable Quotes

• David Gibbons: "Most of the shipwrecks that I've discovered have been just using my eyeballs." (03:15)

• David Gibbons: "They are really time capsules." (08:26)

• David Gibbons: "It's about accessing individuals, and it's about accessing people like us." (09:10)

• David Gibbons: "There's nothing mystical about it. It's just a sort of awareness and a little bit of respect as well." (12:37)

• David Gibbons: "Pirates are nowhere near as glamorous mostly as they're made out to be." (23:24)

• David Gibbons: "Doing it archaeologically... allows this incredible fountain of excitement and information to blossom." (27:28)

• David Gibbons: "The philosophy now... is to preserve in situ, if at all possible." (43:00)

Further Resources

• David Gibbons' Book: A History of the World in 12 Shipwrecks – Available now, published by Weidenfeld and Nicholson.

• Related Podcast Series: Secrets of a Tudor Warship – An in-depth exploration of the Mary Rose, available through History Extra.

• Websites and Museums:

  • Mary Rose Museum: maryrose.org
  • Vasa Museum: vasamuseet.se
  • HistoryExtra.com: Full access available for six months at historyextra.com/join

This episode offers a compelling exploration of maritime archaeology, emphasizing the profound connections between shipwrecks and the broader tapestry of human history. Whether you're a history buff, aspiring archaeologist, or simply intrigued by tales from the deep, David Gibbons' insights provide a captivating window into the past submerged beneath the waves.