I believe it to be Saltash simply because It's in the right area and I can't find anything else it could be.
Update June 2024- The powers that be are looking at protecting the site.
Update August 2024
In September 2022, Historic England received notification that an uncharted wreck site, believed to be that of HMS Saltash, a ‘sloop of war’ lost in 1746, had been discovered by local divers. An assessment of the archaeological remains of the wreck was subsequently undertaken by Wessex Archaeology. The wreck lies some 3.24 nautical miles SW of Beachy Head, East Sussex.
The wreck site, believed to be that of HMS Saltash, is being assessed for scheduling under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, which contains provision for the scheduling of archaeological sites comprising vessel remains. Scheduling is generally the appropriate form of designation for a nationally important vessel where designation will have a positive impact on the future site management, such as through unrestricted access to enable regular routine monitoring.
East Sussex County Council, the Sussex Historic Environment Record, the Receiver of Wreck, Sussex IFCA, Marine Management Organisation, the UK Hydrographic Office, the Wreck Information Service (UKHO), Trinity House, the Crown Estate, the Royal Navy, Natural England, the Protected Wreck Association, the Nautical Archaeology Society, the British Sub-Aqua Club, the Professional Boatman’s Association, the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee, and the finders were invited to comment on the factual details of the case as part of the consultation process. The British Sub-Aqua Club, Maritime Archaeology Trust, the Finder, the Nautical Archaeology Society, the Joint Archaeology Policy Committee, Trinity House, the HER and County Archaeologist and Receiver of Wreck were supportive of the proposed scheduling.
Historic England Advice Report 01 August 2024 The Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee suggested a minor amendment to the text and this has been addressed.
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) states the Secretary of State may schedule monuments of national importance. The considerations used by the Secretary of State when determining whether sites of all types are suitable for statutory designation through scheduling are set out in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's policy statement on Scheduled Monuments & Nationally Important but Non-Scheduled Monuments (October 2013). The key criteria for consideration are period, rarity, documentation, group value, survival, fragility, diversity and potential. Only the most relevant criteria will be applicable to an individual site. The Historic England Introduction to Heritage Assets: Ships and Boats 1840 to 1950 (July 2016) provides an overview of later ships and boats. The Historic England Ships and Boats: Prehistory to Present Selection Guide (December 2017) provides further guidance on the particular considerations used by the Secretary of State when determining whether historic wreck sites are suitable candidates for statutory designation. In addition to those noted above the Selection Guide notes that association with historic individuals will add significance to a vessel.
HMS Saltash, a ‘sloop of war’, built at Pitcher’s Point, Rotherhithe and launched December 1742, two masted with two decks, carrying 14 four pound guns. This vessel was the third to carry the name. Sloops of war were growing in importance in the Royal Navy at this time. HMS Saltash saw service during conflicts with Spain and France 1739 -1748 (War of Jenkin’s Ear and War of the Austrian Succession) and the Jacobite Rebellion, 1745. On 24 June 1746 HMS Saltash, foundered while attempting to seize a French privateer as a prize, off Beachy Head, East Sussex. The wreck site was investigated by the finders and Wessex Archaeology and comprises a central mound, made up of concreted objects, with 14 iron cannons present around the edge of the mound. Scouring around the edge has revealed the presence of coherent timber structure believed to be framing, inner or outer planking. There are also a number of small anchors, fragments of lead sheet and several cuprous barrel hoops, bearing the Royal Navy broad arrow stamp. The wreck of HMS Saltash has the potential to enhance our knowledge and understanding of a Royal Navy Sloop from this period through examination of hull constructional details, fixtures and fittings and artefact assemblages.
After examining all the records and other relevant information and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for scheduling are fulfilled. We recommend that the wreck, possibly the remains of HMS Saltash, be added to the Schedule.
The wreck of a ship, possibly the remains of HMS Saltash, which sits at a depth of 28m, is recommended for scheduling for the following principal reasons: Period: * the mid-C17 saw the smaller ships of the Royal Navy taking on a more active role in the war at sea, with frigates and unrated vessels engaged in patrol and maritime trade protection duties. HMS Saltash is a rare example of the larger Sloop that was built during this transitional period in naval warfare. Rarity: * the ship is a rare example of the larger sloop, built during a transitional period, when this type of vessel was becoming the workhorse of the Royal Navy; others being HMS Swift, built 1763, lost off the coast of Patagonia 1770 and HMS Harlequin, lost off Seaford, East Sussex in 1809. Survival: Page 2 of 7 Historic England Advice Report 01 August 2024 * the wreck contains a considerable proportion of the vessel’s armament, together with a diverse assemblage of artefacts. Underneath the central mound there is potential for a large section of wooden structural remains being buried. Potential: * the wreck has the potential to enhance our knowledge and understanding of a Royal Navy Sloop from this period through examination of hull constructional details, fixtures and fittings and artefact assemblages. Countersigning comments: Agreed. The wreck, possibly the remains of HMS Saltash, is a rare survival and has the potential to enhance our knowledge of Royal Navy sloops of the mid-C17
