HMS Tyger : “British Warship Sinks off FL Keys – 1700s Vessel Found”

By Trend News Line 2024-03-21 02:50:26.

Discovery of British Warship Wreckage off Florida Keys

In a fascinating turn of events, a wrecked seagoing vessel discovered decades ago off the Florida Keys has recently been identified as a British warship that sank in the 18th century. The National Park Service archaeologists used new research to determine that the wreckage first spotted in 1993 near Dry Tortugas National Park is the HMS Tyger, a Fourth-Rate, 50-gun frigate built in 1647. It sank in 1742 after running aground on the reefs of the Dry Tortugas while on patrol in the War of Jenkins Ear between Britain and Spain.

Maritime Archaeological Survey

Archaeologists surveyed the site in 2021 and found five cannons several hundred yards from the main wreck site. The guns were determined to be those thrown overboard when HMS Tyger first ran aground, leading archaeologists to confirm the wreck was, in fact, the remains of HMS Tyger. This discovery highlights the importance of preservation in place as future generations of archaeologists, armed with more advanced technologies and research tools, are able to reexamine sites and make new discoveries.

Survivors’ Struggle and Journey

After the ship wrecked, about 300 crew members were marooned for more than two months on what today is Garden Key. They erected fortifications on the island more than a century before the establishment of Fort Jefferson, which remains on the island today as a historical site. Stranded survivors built seagoing vessels from salvaged pieces of the wrecked HMS Tyger and then burned the rest of the ship to prevent its guns from falling into enemy hands. The survivors used their makeshift vessels to travel 700 miles through enemy waters to British-controlled Port Royal, Jamaica.

Ownership of the Wreckage

The remains of HMS Tyger and its related artifacts are the sovereign property of the British government in accordance with international treaties. This historical discovery sheds light on the events of the past and the resilience of the crew members who survived the sinking of the warship.

As more research is conducted and new technologies are developed, there is a possibility of uncovering even more information about the HMS Tyger and its role in maritime history. The discovery of this British warship wreckage off the Florida Keys serves as a reminder of the rich history that lies beneath the surface of our oceans..

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