Page 7 - Kennemerland VOC ship, 1664 - Published Reports

Summary by RCAHMS (RJCM) undated Source: J Cherry 1975
1974 expedition to the Dutch wrecks of Out Skerries: a small privately organised expedition was put together somewhat hastily and began work in late July, continuing through to late September. All the diving was carried out using a 'Hookah' surface demand compressor, enabling prolonged periods of work under water. All the material recovered in 1974 is held by Mr T Henderson in Shetland County Museum.
The South Mouth Site (Kennemerland 1664): The excavation area begun in 1973 was extended. Detailed excavation was carried out in site F, an open-mouthed gully where one would expect mobile material to be trapped after the wreck broke up. The broad range of material recovered that this was indeed the case. We found an even carpet of artefacts in matrix and soft concretion. The condition of the artefacts indicates that there has been little tumbling action once the material settled into its carpet. Most of the artefacts found were comparable with material recovered in 1973.
The following finds are worthy of special mention:
Two horn combs, one in perfect condition; Several fragments of cargo matting of Eastern origin; A fragment of velvet(?) with glass beads embroidered onto the material to form a pattern. Probably part of a costume(?); A lump of knitted woollen material; A 'Flemish' coil of plaited rope, identified by Mr Henderson as a part of a sail gasket.
The greater part of two ladies' shoes; Pocket sundial in excellent condition, in a complete and undamaged brass case. The compass-card is intact, and the cardinal points are coloured red and blue alternately; Lignum vitae rule about 12 ins (0.3m) long with a scale marked 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25. This is probably part of an early staff type, navigational instrument; A gunner's brass vent pricker; Part of a large iron-shoed wooden wedge, probably part of a gun elevating quior.
Summary by RCAHMS (RJCM) Undated
Source: R Price 1975.
Excavation (1976)
South Mouth, Out Skerries, Shetland: Kennemerland. A fourth season of work on this Dutch East Indiaman, wrecked in 1664, was carried out by Mr Richard Price with Mr Keith Muckelroy as project archaeologist. All material from the site has been deposited in the Shetland Museum, where the curator, Mr Tom Henderson, has undertaken the requisite conservation work.
Around Stoura Stack, the point on which the ship was initially wrecked, a collection of over 100 lead ingots from her ballast was discovered and raised. This find represents one of the largest recorded groups of 17th-century lead pigs, and an analysis of the constituent metal, control marks, and ingot forms is now in progress. Further N, where the vessel apparently broke up, two areas were excavated. One contained the remains of a large barrel, along with traces of its contents, barley, while the other was notable for a thick layer of matted wood, leather and other organic materials lying under about 10cm of gravel. Other finds from this site included much stoneware and pottery, clay pipes, an ivory pocket sundial, a brass padlock, and several knife handles.
Summary by RCAHMS (RJCM) Undated Source: J Cherry 1977.