Discovery of 1682 shipwreck made public

The HMS Gloucester sank on May 6, 1682, after hitting a sandbank off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The shipwreck discovery was made in 2007 but only made public recently to allow protected investigation of the site, which is in international waters.

The identity of the wreck was confirmed after the ship's bell was found. Clothing, shoes, navigational equipment, personal possessions, and unopened wine bottles were also located at the site.

While no manifest exists, it is estimated that the ship had about 200 to 300 people on board when it sank including the Duke of York who would become the future James II.

HMS Gloucester participated in several battles during the Anglo-Spanish War, and the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars.