200-Yr-Old Wreck of a 'British' Sailing Ship Found With Well-Preserved Cannon and Anchor Stuns Archaeologists

Water bodies can keep secrets, but they can't bury them forever. One or the other day, they will come out. This is what happened in Mexico when, after around three decades of initial information, underwater archaeologists finally located a speculated shipwreck off the coast of Quintana Roo state, stated BBC. Researchers believe that the structure could have been a British sailing ship.

The shipwreck was named 'Manuel Polanco' honoring the man who initially discovered it in the 1990s. After examination, researchers claimed that most of the ship's wood had rotten away. The only parts remaining were the cannon and anchor. The cannon was estimated to be 2.5m-long (8ft) in length. Archaeologists also found pig iron ingots, which they confirmed belonged to the fisherman who had spotted the shipwreck. Further analysis confirmed that the structure dates back to the late 18th or early 19th Century. At the time of discovery, the structure was buried inside the waters of Banco Chinchorro atoll reef. 

Archaeologists claimed that the anchor appeared to be 'live' at the time of the ship's sinking, stated Ancient Origins. This implies that the crew possibly threw the anchor when the ship was sailing. Experts believe this could have been a desperate attempt on the part of the crew to halt the ship's descent, but ultimately proved to be futile. More analysis is required to confirm whether it was a British sailing ship.

Researchers think that the ship sank around two centuries ago after clashing with the Chinchorro Bank. Past studies have claimed that Chinchorro Bank was called "Nightmare reef" or "Sleep-robbing reef" because it was extremely dangerous for seafarers. Experts have found multiple shipwrecks at the site, including two Spanish galleons. Manuel Polanco was the seventh shipwreck they had unearthed from the location. Mexican authorities have declared the site to be an underwater cultural heritage site.

Fisherman, Manuel Polanco, discovered the shipwreck and quickly informed the National Archaeological Institute (INAH). After several decades, in 2020, divers were sent to verify Polanco's claims. Polanco, then in his 80s, could not accompany the team in their pursuit but sent his son to them with crucial details that he thought would help the divers. Initially, he was reluctant to have his name as the ship's title, but eventually, his family convinced him to accept this honor, stated Newsweek.

This was not the first discovery made by Polanco. Before 'Manuel Polanco' he had uncovered popular finds like "40 cañones" (40 cannons) and "The Angel." The latter was a sailing ship that was used to transport logwood from Mexico to Europe. He suggested that other people who stumbled upon such finds should directly inform the authorities before taking any action. The former fisherman also asked others in his community to collaborate with authorities in the discovery of shipwrecks. "Scientists need local fishermen to find the wrecks. Without us, it could be slower and more expensive. And of course we the fishermen need scientists to help us understand the artifacts—the collaboration helps both groups to work better," he added.