What is the Newport Medieval Ship
The Newport Medieval Ship is a fifteenth century merchant vessel unearthed in the heart of Newport, South Wales in 2002.
The ship was a formidable three-masted craft measuring over 30 metres in length and capable of carrying around 200 tons of cargo.
It was brought to Newport for repairs or refit in 1468 or 1469. It is thought that, whilst in Newport, the cradle supporting the ship collapsed. The hull was flooded and the majority of the ship was then taken apart, leaving only the lower hull that we have today.
These remains have been carefully cleaned, recorded and conserved: conservation of the timbers concluded earlier this year. The project is now focused on planning the reassembly and display of the hull and artefacts.
Visitors can learn more about the history of the ship at the Newport Ship visitor centre.
The Friends of Newport Ship support the work of Newport City Council in the continuing conservation of the timbers and all the other artefacts that are part of this amazing treasure – ‘the Newport Medieval Ship’.
2024 Crowdfunder
In 2023, researchers from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea University announced a breakthrough in the dating of the Newport Medieval Ship. Through the use of oxygen isotope dendrochronology (the study of tree-ring data), they have determined that selected structural timbers of the hull were made from oak trees that were felled in the winter of 1457-58.
The research, published in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, suggests that the vessel was constructed soon after this and had a working life of about ten years before coming to Newport for repairs.
Previous research has shown that the ship timbers originated from forests in the Basque Country in northern Spain and that the ship was likely built along the Basque coast.
Analysis of the artefacts, cargo remnants and plant remains from the ship have revealed trading links with Portugal.
This crowdfunder will create a new animation which will be displayed in the visitor centre and used as part of the education and engagement activities by the Friends of Newport Ship and Newport Museums and Heritage Service. It will compliment a animation created about the final journey which was created by Dextra Visual in 2022.
The animation will be based on the archaeological research about the origins of the Newport Ship including the 2023 research about ships' timbers and construction. We are raising funds so the animation is completed in time for the 2024 Friends of Newport Ship AGM.
Screen captures of the animation (in development) can be found below:
