'Incredible' old shipwreck found on Orkney beach

The wreck has washed up on the Orkney island of Sanday

A large section of a well-preserved shipwreck thought to be hundreds of years old has washed ashore on a beach in Orkney.

The timbers are held together with large wooden pegs in a style understood to have been commonly used as far back as the 16th Century.

Locals on the island of Sanday believe it may have been released from the seabed by recent violent winter storms.

It is hoped the timber can be removed from the beach to be preserved, and that further investigation will reveal more about the ship.

The wood is described as being in good condition

Sanday resident David Walker said he was keen on history and he headed straight to the scene when he heard word of the discovery.

"My interest made me jump straight in the van and head over and have a look," he told BBC Radio Orkney.

"It's incredible, that was why I took so many pictures."

He said there were some "very knowledgeable" people locally and they had been assessing the find. The timbers are pegged together, and it is hoped the techniques used could help date the vessel.

The old wreck is being investigated by David Walker (as well as his dog Ned)

The ship timbers are pegged together

The wreck may have been freed from the sea bed during storms

It is hoped the wreck can be preserved

"It could potentially be a really special piece of washed up archaeology," Mr Walker said.

"It's possibly been buried because of the lack of marine algae or anything on it, just further out at sea, and I think the last storm has brought it up.

"It's just guesswork at the moment.

"We would love for it to be salvaged and for further investigation to go on for it."

Mr Walker said the race was now on not only to find out more, but preserve the timber.

"We're just so lucky," he said. "It's very special. It's such a solid piece in fine condition.

"Now it's exposed it could rapidly deteriorate.

"It's not going to be an easy task to undertake."

He added: "I think it's of national importance."

'Need an expert'

Sanday author and historian Myra Stockton has catalogued about 200 shipwrecks around the island, dating as far back as 1596.

Her records identify 14 ships lost near the beach where the wreckage has washed up.

She said: "People here are wondering if it could be part of the Spanish Armada.

"We need an expert in historical wooden keels to help identify where this has come from."