Rediscovering the HMS Neptune
Unearthing an Eighteenth-Century Shipwreck from the Atlantic Depths
On the stormy night of 10 August 1778, as thunder echoed across the vast Atlantic, a renowned British naval vessel, the HMS Neptune, met its tragic fate. Engaged in a fierce battle with Spanish ships near the Azores, the ship was battered not only by enemy fire but by the raging elements. Though records remain unclear about the precise events, it is known that the Neptune was not directly defeated by the Spanish. Many believe the ship was overcome by the sheer force of the storm, while others think an onboard fire, possibly ignited by a struck cannon, led to its doom. Regardless, the mighty Neptune was swallowed by the tumultuous waves, taking over 700 souls down with her. Efforts to salvage the ship in the subsequent days were unsuccessful.
Over time, the HMS Neptune settled into the Atlantic abyss, leaning onto her port side at roughly a 55-degree angle. Currents of the deep ocean brought along silt and sediment, which rapidly filled the ship's port side. The starboard, exposed to the unrelenting marine environment, underwent gradual erosion from sea creatures and corrosion. Yet, due to the unique positioning and depth, the majority of the port side of the ship remained in remarkable condition. As decades turned to centuries, layers of sediment solidified around the ship, preserving its secrets beneath.
In the summer of 1922, while trawling the ocean depths, fishermen near the Azores reported snagging their nets on a vast underwater structure. Renowned marine archaeologist, Eleanor Bridges, happened to be in the region studying ancient trade routes. The fishermen sought her expertise to identify the obstruction. As Bridges dove down, guided by dim lantern light, she stumbled upon an ornate ship's compass, semi-buried in the sand. It bore the emblem of the British Royal Navy. Further dives uncovered cannons, shards of porcelain, and a ship's bell inscribed with "HMS Neptune, 1770."
The find was sensational, yet the technology of the time wasn’t advanced enough for a large-scale excavation. Hence, the Neptune's resting place once again faded from public consciousness. However, in 2005, a marine exploration initiative titled "Atlantic Marvels" was launched by historian Dr. Nathaniel Hart and a team from the Oceanic Exploration Society. While their primary goal was to map underwater topographies, Dr. Hart was also passionate about the legend of the HMS Neptune.
The team employed the latest in sonar technology, developed by Dr. Layla Ibrahim of the Cairo Institute of Oceanography. In 2007, her sonar readings displayed an anomalous structure, reminiscent of an 18th-century ship's design. The team's excitement was palpable.
Subsequent underwater drones revealed the ship’s timbers, weaponry, and even personal belongings of the sailors, eerily preserved. The public interest in the Neptune resurgence was monumental. In 2012, the Neptune Preservation Society (NPS) was established with the Duke of York as its patron.
The most ambitious part of the project was the debate over whether to recover the Neptune. After exhaustive studies and meticulous planning, the decision was made in 2015 to proceed. The salvage process was executed in several phases. A custom frame, equipped with suction devices, was first gently adhered to the ship. Next, controlled water jets delicately removed the sediment, while hydraulic lifts began the careful ascent. As weeks passed, the ship was cradled in a custom-designed underwater cage for support.
The moment of truth arrived on 5 June 2017. The world watched in awe as the remains of the HMS Neptune, encrusted with marine life and the scars of time, broke the water's surface. A wave of emotion surged as the ship, once lost to history, found its way back to the world. Today, the HMS Neptune is a centerpiece at the Maritime Museum in London, a testament to the past and the undying spirit of exploration.
