Page 169 - Kennemerland VOC ship, 1664 - Published Reports

Kennemerland: Archaeological Report Wessex Archaeology 53111.03ll
KENNEMERLAND, OUT SKERRIES, SHETLAND ISLES
DESIGNATED SITE ASSESSMENT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT REF.: 53111.03LL
Summary
Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Historic Scotland to undertake a Designated Site Assessment of the wreck of the Kennemerland: a designated wreck located off the islands of the Out Skerries, Shetland Isles. The work was undertaken as part of the Contract for Archaeological Services in Relation to the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973).
The Kennemerland was a ship of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (the Dutch East India Company or VOC). It was wrecked off Out Skerries in December 1664 while en route to Batavia. Britain and the United Provinces of the Free Netherlands were on the verge of war at this time and VOC ships were taking the longer achter om route through the North Sea to avoid the risk of interception in the English Channel. The Kennemerland was attempting this passage when, running ahead of a southerly gale, she struck Stoura Stack at the entrance to Out Skerries natural harbour and broke in half. The wreck's forepart foundered in the deep water adjacent to Stoura Stack and the remaining stern portion was swept into the harbour and washed up on Bruray Island before being swept back out to sea on the following tide. The wreck was discovered in 1971 by members of the Aston University Sub Aqua Club and has subsequently been subject to several seasons of excavation.
Diving operations in the Out Skerries were scheduled to take place between 19th and 26th of August 2005. In the event diving on the Kennemerland site was not possible during this period due to wind conditions averaging Force 6 and on occasion rising to Gale Force 11. As diving was impossible during WA's visit, non-diving tasks were undertaken: a photographic archive was compiled looking over the site in various conditions and three anchors thought to possibly be related to the wreck were found on the island of Bruray and photographed and drawn by WA members. During the post-excavation process a limited archive assessment was conducted. This involved compiling a brief history of the vessel and a summary history of the archaeological investigations on the site.
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