August 13th 2024.
The year was 1805 and the coast of Weymouth in Dorset was struck by a devastating shipwreck that would go down in history as one of Britain's worst maritime disasters. The merchant ship, the Earl of Abergavenny, met its tragic fate after sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. This catastrophic event not only spilled a fortune into the sea, but it also broke the heart of renowned English poet, William Wordsworth.
The ship was part of the East India Company's fleet and was captained by John Wordsworth, the older brother of William. John had joined the company in order to support his brother's writing career, and had successfully completed two trips to China on the Earl of Abergavenny. However, on this fateful journey, the ship hit the dangerous Shambles sandbank and sank, taking the lives of over 260 crew and passengers, including John.
The tragic loss of his brother had a profound impact on William's life and work. His previous belief in the goodness of nature was shattered, and his grief was evident in pieces such as "Elegiac Stanzas." His later works became more reflective and somber, as he grappled with the loss of his brother.
In recent news, the Earl of Abergavenny has once again made headlines as the UK government has granted it special protection. This means that while divers are allowed to visit the wreck, they must leave all contents there, including valuable items such as chests of silver dollars. The move was made after advice from Historic England, who recognized the ship's significance in both the life of William Wordsworth and in the country's maritime history.
The waters near the Shambles sandbank have long been known for their treacherous nature, with many ships falling victim to the unrelenting waves. It is a place frozen in time, with countless stories waiting to be told. The artifacts recovered from the Earl of Abergavenny are now housed at the Portland Museum, where they serve as a reminder of this tragic event and the impact it had on the world. As Chief Executive of Historic England, Duncan Wilson, aptly put it, "This wreck has an evocative story to tell...But it also has an important place in this country's shared maritime history."
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