Poole Swash Channel Wreck: Rudder brought ashore

The wreck's 8.4m (28ft) rudder is carved with the image of a man's face

The rudder of a 17th Century merchant vessel shipwrecked off the Dorset coast has been brought ashore.

The so-called Swash Channel Wreck was discovered in a sand and shingle bank outside Poole Harbour that was struck by a dredger in 1990.

Its 8.4m (28ft) rudder, carved with the image of a man's face, was lifted onto Poole Quay by Bournemouth University marine archaeologists, at 08:45 BST.

Little is known about the name and origins of the vessel and its crew.

A £450,000 conservation project funded by English Heritage has already seen several parts of the ship raised, including rare examples of carved Baroque woodwork.

The rudder had been kept in the sea off Poole since it was initially raised from the wreck site in July

The 8.4m (28ft) long rudder is thought to weigh about 3 tonnes

The rudder was immediately dowsed in water to prevent it drying out in the sunshine

A moustachioed face was carved into the rudder head which would have appeared above the waves

The rudder is being taken to York for conservation work paid for by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant

Almost 80% of the port side of the Dutch ship survived since it sank early in the 17th Century.

The rudder was raised from the wreck site in July and has been kept underwater at Poole's quayside.

It is due to be taken to York for conservation and research work to be carried out on it.

Dave Parham, from Bournemouth University, described it as "spectacular" and said he was relieved it had been brought ashore "in one piece".

"Up to now we could only see a few metres of it underwater," he said.

"Now it's on shore you can see everything in the light - it's huge, it's an incredible sight."

The rudder is the last major piece due to be raised. The wreck has since been covered in sand to protect it from the seawater.

Along with other artefacts, it is due to go on show in Poole Museum in two years time.