Underwater Cultural Heritage Presented By: Mitzie Temple-Richardson

Maritime Heritage From the earliest Amerindians to the present and into the future, the sea has defined Anguilla, enabling life to continue where it would otherwise be impossible. From maritime industries including salt picking and fishing to transportation, trade and tourism, Anguilla has come to rely on the sea when other industries failed. Today, the sea is celebrated in festivals and celebrations, including Fetival del Mar in Island Harbour and August Monday in Sandy Ground. The sea is a natural part of life on Anguilla and until recently fish the dominant protein. While many Anguillians do not swim, there is an undeniable and intangible connection with the ocean. As more than one Anguillian explains, ‘the sea is in our blood’.

Shipwrecks of Anguilla Present The earliest known shipwreck was in 1628: one of two Spanish merchantmen returning from Puerto Rico (it has been called a "galleon" in some accounts) wrecked off the north coast of Anguilla. The most recent occurred on September 5th, 1995, involving the freighters M.V. Lady Sea Horse and M.V. Pomead, the fishing boats M.V. Christobel and M.V. Anguillita, the trading sloop Faithful Counseler, the catamarans Princess and Wildcat, and the sailing yacht Flica (recently sailed to Anguilla from Europe by our island dentist Dr. Erlich).

Underwater Heritage Surveys A cannon was located in Crocus Bay very close to shore. It is in water chest deep. A single anchor was found on Seal Island Reef. A site was discovered which consists of four anchors. The anchors’ position shows how each failed in turn. We believe the wreck’s ballast and parts of the vessel may be incorporated into the reef in a direct line from the anchors’ location. The site probably dates to the early 19th century. More material is likely imbedded in the coral. Fisherman “Mumba” showed us a site on Seal Island Reef. The site consists of nine cannon. The ship looks to have jettisoned its cannon in an attempt to free itself from the reef. Whether it succeeded is not known. Cannon are difficult to date but the ship which jettisoned them is probably 18-19th century. The Buen Consejo is the most popular of the shipwreck sites of Anguilla. An anchor and cannon near the recorded site of the Buen Consejo (Anguilla’s only Underwater Archaeological Preserve) were found, which extends our knowledge of the site and add a significant element to understanding how the Buen Consejo wrecked.

Buen Consejo On June 2, 2009, Mr. Samuel Bryant, the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Bridgetown, Barbados returned more than 100 bronze medallions to Anguilla’s Chief Minister, the Hon. Osbourne Fleming, on behalf of the Government of Anguilla. The medals produced resulted from a series of investigations which led to their recovery. They are considered to be originally the property of Fransiscan friars who were travelling from Spain to Mexico on the warship El Bueno Consejo which ran aground off the coast of Anguilla. The wreckage site is considered to have international archaeological significance and efforts have been made to establish it as part of the Anguilla Marine Parks System.

Legislation The Biodiversity Heritage Conservation Act is the legislation that captures some of the requirements set out by the Convention of Underwater Cultural Heritage. Other environmental legislations also recently enacted are the Trade in Endangered Species Act and the Anguilla National Trust Act which gives some conservation power to that organisation.

Legislations Pending The Bills for the Environmental Protection Act, the Physical Planning Act and the Biodiversity Heritage Conservation Regulations are presently being drafted with the assistance of the CDB.

Snapshots of Survey work done on Maritime Heritage The bow anchor of an 18th century Nau, the Buen Consejo, recorded in 2009 Two archaeologists recording a 19th century wreck. Other features recorded include a windlass and anchoring assembly Nine cannon ‘dumped’ in the 1800s when a ship ran onto Anguilla’s reefs One of the remaining anchors and cannon in-situ in the Buen Consejo Archaeological Preserve The 2009 ceremony returning some of the artefacts stolen from Anguilla