35 Facts About Merchant Royal Anchor

The Merchant Royal: A Ship of Legends

The Merchant Royal, also known as the Royal Merchant, is one of the most legendary shipwrecks in maritime history. Its tragic fate and the immense treasure it carried have fascinated historians and treasure hunters for centuries. Let's dive into the fascinating facts about this 17th-century English merchant ship and its anchor.

1. Name and History: The Merchant Royal was a 17th-century English merchant ship that sank in 1641 off the coast of Land's End, Cornwall, England.

2. Builder and Launch: Built at Deptford Dockyard in London, the ship was launched in 1627, marking the beginning of its storied career.

3. Owner and Captain: Captain Limbrey owned and commanded the vessel during its ill-fated voyage, steering it through treacherous waters.

4. Sister Ship: The Merchant Royal had a sister ship called the Dover Merchant, which played a significant role in the events leading to the sinking of the Royal Merchant.

Trading and Troubles

The Merchant Royal's trading ventures and the troubles it encountered are key to understanding its eventual demise.

5. Trading Years: The Merchant Royal spent two years trading with Spanish colonies in the West Indies from 1637 to 1640.

6. Peace with Spain: During this period, England was at peace with Spain, allowing the Royal Merchant to engage in trade without fear of conflict.

7. Leaking Issues: The ship was leaking badly after its long voyage, which would eventually contribute to its demise.

8. Stop at Cadiz: On its way home to London, the Royal Merchant and the Dover Merchant made a stop at Cadiz for repairs. It was during this stop that the ship encountered a Spanish vessel in distress.

The Treasure and the Tragedy

The Merchant Royal's cargo and the circumstances of its sinking are what make its story so captivating.

9. Spanish Ship in Distress: A Spanish ship in Cadiz caught fire just before it was due to carry treasure to Flanders to pay for 30,000 Habsburg soldiers stationed there. This created an opportunity for Captain Limbrey to offer his services to transport the treasure to Antwerp.

10. Carrying Treasure: The Royal Merchant took on the treasure, which included at least 100,000 pounds of gold, 400 bars of Mexican silver, and nearly 500,000 pieces of eight and other coins.

11. Pumps Breaking Down: Despite its leaking issues, the ship continued to carry the treasure. However, when the pumps broke down, it became clear that the vessel was doomed.

12. Sinking Off Land's End: The Royal Merchant sank off Land's End in rough weather on September 23, 1641. Eighteen men drowned in the sinking, while Captain Limbrey and 40 of his crew managed to escape in boats and were later picked up by the Dover Merchant.

13. Treasure Value: The treasure on board was estimated to be worth over $1.5 billion in today's money, making it one of the most valuable shipwrecks in history.

The Search for the Wreck

Despite numerous attempts, the wreck of the Merchant Royal has not been found. The search continues to this day.

14. Search Efforts: Despite numerous attempts, the wreck of the Royal Merchant has not been found. The Odyssey Marine Exploration company has been searching for the ship for several years but has been unsuccessful.

15. Anchor Discovery: In March 2019, an admiralty patterned long shank anchor matching the one that would have been used by the Royal Merchant was found tangled in fishing nets and dredged up by Cornish fishermen.

16. Anchor Identification: The anchor is believed to be from the Royal Merchant due to its size, age, and location. However, some experts have raised questions about the certainty of its identification.

17. Odyssey Marine Exploration: The Odyssey Marine Exploration company initially believed they had found the Royal Merchant's treasure in 2007 but later concluded that it was actually from the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a Spanish vessel sunk in 1804.

18. Treasure Quest: The Odyssey team continued their search for the Royal Merchant on the 2009 Discovery Channel television show "Treasure Quest," but they were unsuccessful once again.

19. Treasure Hunter Todd Stevens: Treasure hunter Todd Stevens, based in the Isles of Scilly, has also been searching for the remains of the Royal Merchant. He believes that the anchor found could be part of the wreck, given its location near Land's End.

The Anchor and Its Significance

The discovery of the anchor has reignited interest in the Merchant Royal and its treasure.

20. Anchor Characteristics: The anchor found is an admiralty patterned long shank anchor, which was commonly used by ships of that era. Its size and design match what would have been used by the Royal Merchant.

21. Location of Wreck: The Royal Merchant is believed to have sunk approximately 10 leagues (about 35 nautical miles) from Land's End. This location encompasses the Isles of Scilly, making it a challenging area to search.

22. Depth of Wreck: The wreck is estimated to be at a depth of around 300 feet, which is a significant challenge for divers due to the pressure and darkness.

23. Diving Challenges: Mark Milburn, a treasure hunter and owner of Atlantic Scuba, noted that diving at such depths is extremely challenging. The conditions are treacherous, and the window for successful dives is very narrow.

24. Competing Treasure Hunters: Milburn also warned that numerous independent treasure hunters will be joining the search for the Royal Merchant's treasure, which could lead to issues with unauthorized removal of artifacts.

Legal and Historical Implications

Finding the wreck of the Merchant Royal would have significant legal and historical implications.

25. Salvage Rights: If a diver were to find the treasure, they could potentially claim salvage rights under British law. However, they would need a license to do so, and the British government would also have a claim to the treasure.

26. Historical Significance: The Royal Merchant is considered one of the most significant shipwrecks in history due to its immense treasure and the circumstances surrounding its sinking.

27. Media Coverage: The discovery of the anchor has received significant media attention, with some outlets dubbing it the "El Dorado of the seas".

28. Public Interest: The story of the Royal Merchant has captivated the public imagination for centuries, with many people speculating about the treasure and its whereabouts.

29. Archaeological Importance: Finding the wreck of the Royal Merchant would not only uncover valuable treasure but also provide significant archaeological insights into 17th-century maritime trade and technology.

30. Legal Considerations: Any discovery of the wreck would need to be reported to the British government, and the treasure would likely be subject to legal claims and regulations.

The Ongoing Quest

The search for the Merchant Royal continues, driven by the allure of its treasure and historical significance.

31. Historical Accounts: Historical accounts of the Royal Merchant's sinking include detailed descriptions of the ship's condition and the events leading up to its demise. These accounts provide valuable context for understanding the ship's history.

32. Treasure Legends: The legend of the Royal Merchant has inspired numerous treasure hunting stories and legends over the centuries, adding to its allure and mystique.

33. Current Search Efforts: Despite the anchor discovery, the search for the Royal Merchant continues. Treasure hunters and archaeologists are working together to locate the wreck and recover its treasure.

34. Technological Challenges: The search for the Royal Merchant involves significant technological challenges, including deep-sea diving and advanced sonar technology to locate the wreck.

35. Historical Legacy: The story of the Royal Merchant serves as a testament to the risks and rewards of maritime trade during the 17th century and continues to captivate historians and treasure hunters alike.

The Enduring Mystery of the Merchant Royal

The Merchant Royal's story is a blend of history, tragedy, and treasure. This 17th-century ship, laden with gold, silver, and coins, met its fate off Land's End in 1641. Despite numerous attempts, the wreck remains elusive, keeping its $1.5 billion treasure hidden. The 2019 discovery of an anchor, possibly from the ship, has reignited interest and hope among treasure hunters and historians alike. The search continues, driven by the allure of untold riches and the promise of uncovering a significant piece of maritime history. The Merchant Royal serves as a reminder of the perils of sea voyages and the enduring human fascination with lost treasures. Whether the wreck is ever found, its legend will undoubtedly continue to captivate and inspire.