NHER 27637 (Monument record) - Undated wrecks and part of a possible revetment on southern edge of Breydon Water

April 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of structures is visible on aerial photographs (S1)-(S4), on the southern edge of Breydon Water between TG 5094 0758 and TG 5087 0755. Several wrecks are visible, two of which (at TG 5093 0757 and TG 5088 0755) were recorded during the field survey phase of the Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (RCZAS), which was undertaken in 2004. These are recorded as NHER 41816 and 41625 respectively. A further wreck is visible at TG 5092 0757, while linear structures at TG 5089 0756 and on the north side of NHER 41625 could represent two more vessels. Together with another wreck located 20m to the northeast (NHER 41624), these may collectively represent a ships’ graveyard, where unwanted vessels were abandoned out of the way of the main river channel. Other structures, in particular a fragmentary linear structure visible along the southern side of the centre of the site, may be revetments intended to stabilise the banks. None of the structures are dated. The wreck recorded as NHER 41625 is iron clad and perhaps dates to the 19th or 20th century. A late post medieval to modern date is also plausible for the other mapped features, given their relatively intact state in what is only shallow water.

It should be noted that due to a lack of adequate control points, the photographs used to map the site could not be fully rectified. Consequently, the form and location of the mapped features should be regarded as approximate. Locational data for the two sites identified during the RCZAS field survey was also approximate, as the wrecks could not be reached on foot and their position was estimated in relation to the banks (see context sheets (S5) and (S6)). The extent of the site (as shown by the Monument Polygon) incorporates both sets of geographical data.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 12 April 2006.