A wooden shipwreck is located on the foreshore at the Mumbles, 85m down the beach from the high-water mark. The remains are c. 10m in length, 3m wide and comprise the keel, keelson, frames and hull planking of a wooden vessel, possibly a former oysterboat.

Oyster fishing boats, termed skiffs, were in widespread use in the second half of the 19th century within Swansea Bay and are recorded as having typical overall measurements of between 37-40ft (11.2-12.1m) in length, with a keel of about 31ft (9.5m). Such dimensions correspond broadly with the size of the archaeological remains of this wreck, as does its abandonment in this location.

The remains were much covered in seaweed at the time of a RCAHMW visit in May 2024, and the wreck would benefit from removal of weed, prior to a full survey.

Sources Include:

Glamorgan Gwent Historic Environment Record PRN 06721w: https://archwilio.org.uk/her/chi3/report/page.php?watprn=GGAT06721w

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

RCAHMW survey visit 08/05/2024

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

J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, June 2024.

Site Record

Mumbles Wreck 3