NAS April Klein Hollandia dive

24th April saw Richard and I heading down to Eastbourne at an uncivilised time to dive the Klein Hollandia and Normans Bay wreck (planned), courtesy of the Nautical Archaeology society (NAS).

The Klein Hollandia was a Dutch warship built in 1654 and involved in all major battles of the Second Anglo-Dutch war (1665-1667) before being sunk in action in 1672.  It was discovered in 2019 and is now a Protected Wreck being actively surveyed and investigated by the NAS licensees ever since.

It is not something you see every day...

Whilst quite small (c. 40m long with c. 10m beam) it carried an estimated 44-54 guns, many of which were uncovered and plain to see on my dive.  In addition to numerous large iron cannon the wreck carried several bronze cannon in stunning condition, with markings clear to see.  We also found large dressed stone blocks and Italian marble tiles which were part of the cargo. 

A lengthy run of the wooden starboard hull was clearly visible sticking out of the sand and there were yellow bricks from the galley scattered over a wide area.  Everywhere you looked there was something of interest, even for an archeological Muggle like me on a first dive.  For the NAS archaeologists the wreck has yielded a constant stream of interesting artefacts since discovery and continues to do so.

There was also a good amount of wildlife in residence: small congers everywhere (in the cannon barrels and gaps between the marble tiles), large lobster, ballen wrasse and probably the biggest spider crab I have ever seen!

The day had its challenges: although bright and sunny the surface conditions were rough (easterly SS4+) and viz was 2-4m at 31m.  Tragically Richard had a kit failure with his wing and had to sit the dive out, many thanks for Hilary for diving with me and giving a guided tour!  We also had to scrub the second dive due to surface conditions and nil viz inshore.

Happily Richard and other MHD members will be going back on another trip in June!

Given the conditions I did not take any photos this time but for an excellent insight into this wreck and the NAS activity on it see their website at https://www.nauticalarchaeologysociety.org/klein-hollandia .

Many thanks to Mark Beattie-Edwards of NAS for laying on a fantastic and unusual opportunity!