The remains of a wooden vessel lie in the intertidal zone at the Mumbles, some 110m from the high water mark. The wreck is c.20m in length and comprises oak framing timbers and posts, with softwood ceiling planking, outer planking and keelson (PRN 06722w). Iron elements are also reported within the extant structure, as well as an iron rudder (PRN 05800w).

Although associated with the oyster fishsing history of the area, this wreck is much larger than the other wrecks present on the beach. It is also larger than the historically attested general dimensions of the Swansea Oyster skiffs which are given as 37-40ft (11.2-12.1m) in length, with a keel of about 31ft (9.5m).

The wreck is listed by the UKHO (UKHO ID 12504) and was first reported in December 1950 and was noted again by HMS FOX in 1981. It was visited by Nigel Nayling in 1998 as part of the Swansea Bay Intertidal Survey, photographed by the RCAHMW's Aerial Photographer, Toby Driver in 2002, and has been subject to investigation by the Arfordir Project, and the Nautical Archaeology Society in 2011, and a site visit by the RCAHMW in 2013.

The wreck was visited by the RCAHMW on the 08/05/2024 and recorded with a photogrammetry survey (link below).

Sources include:

Glamorgan Gwent Historic Environment Record PRN 05800w: https://archwilio.org.uk/her/chi3/report/page.php?watprn=GGAT05800w

Glamorgan Gwent Historic Environment Record PRN 06722w: https://archwilio.org.uk/her/chi3/report/page.php?watprn=GGAT06722w

Greenhill, B., and Mannering, J., 2013. Inshore Craft. Traditional Working Vessels of the British Isles. Barnsely: Seaforth. pp 192-3.

RCAHMW Photographic Collections, negative ref: 2002/5017-53A

RCAHMW Photogrammetry Survey 08/05/2024: https://skfb.ly/oUx6P

Smylie, M., 1999. Traditional Fishing Boats of Britain and Ireland. Shrewsbury: Waterline Books. pp 113-115.

UKHO ID 12504: Contains public sector information, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from UK Hydrographic Office.

J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, June 2024

Site Record

Mumbles Wreck 1 (UKHO 12504)