EHG4369 - Underwater surveys - Mingary, Ardnamurchan, Sound of Mull

Metal detector and diver visual surveys were carried out by Wessex Archaeology in 2007 on the unnamed wreck near Mingary Castle. The aim of the operations set by Historic Scotland was to continue the designated assessment of the site by attempting to delineate the extent of the site and to progress the baseline recording recommendations made by Wessex Archaeology in 2006. Diving operations were undertaken between 24th April and 4th May 2007. A total of 18 dives were undertaken accruing a total dive time of 1123 minutes. In total, an area of over 1000m² was covered. Searching was made difficult by dense kelp growth and the numerous boulders that form the topography to the north and west of the site. As with 2006 detecting was severely impeded by the magnetism of the local rock. No finds were identified by metal detecting in 2007. Visual searches were conducted in corridors extending outward from the known site to at least 26m in all directions. In addition, 100 % visual search coverage was undertaken in the area to the north-east of the site in an attempt to locate a reported sixth cannon. Despite the intensive searches undertaken by the team the cannon was not located. In addition a walk-over assessment of the shore adjacent to the site was carried out at low tide. A visual inspection and targeted metal detector searches were conducted on the small rock outcrop that points towards the site at low water. Nothing was identified through metal detecting but two modern pins were located on the furthest extremity of the outcrop; these may be related to fishing activity but did not look as though they had been in use recently. All five cannons on site were fully recorded. <1>