“It’s incredible how historical records and underwater archaeology came together to finally name this ship,” said Dave Parham, Professor of Maritime Archaeology at Bournemouth University, reflecting on a discovery that spanned nearly 30 years. Divers first uncovered the wreck in 1995 off England’s Salcombe Bay, finding over 400 gold coins scattered across the seabed but no clues to the vessel’s identity. Only this summer, on June 18, 2026, the British Museum and maritime specialists confirmed it as the Dutch trader Dom van Keulen, which sailed from Morocco in late 1633 before succumbing to violent storms.
The Dom van Keulen was no ordinary merchant ship. Its cargo included 150 bags of gum arabic, 64 sacks of other goods, and more than 400 gold coins, hinting at a sophisticated 17th-century supply chain spanning continents. Maritime records linked to the ship’s last voyage matched the underwater finds with remarkable precision, showing how global trade operated over 390 years ago. The severe weather that sank the ship left it stranded in shallow waters, where divers have since monitored and studied the 98-foot wreck under strict protection laws enacted in 1973.
This discovery sheds new light on the logistics and commerce of early modern Europe and North Africa. The site’s protection by Historic England ensures ongoing preservation as researchers prepare to share these findings with a broader audience. The blend of maritime archaeology and archival research exemplifies a rare case where paper trails and underwater detective work intersect, revealing rich stories hidden beneath the sea for decades.
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