The Newport Medieval Ship is a fifteenth century merchant vessel unearthed in the heart of Newport in 2002. Work on the Riverfront arts centre was paused so excavations could take place. The timbers have since undergone a lengthy conservation process so the ship can be displayed to the public.
The ship was a formidable three-masted craft measuring over 30 metres in length and capable of carrying around 200 tons of cargo. Examination of the artefacts and remains found on board suggests that the ship probably sailed the Lisbon-Bristol trade route.
Through dendrochronology (the study of tree-ring data), it has been concluded that the trees used to construct the ship were felled around the late 1450s in the Basque Country, now split between modern Spain and France, where it was probably built. It was brought to Newport for repairs or refit in about 1469 but was instead deconstructed, meaning it had a working life of approximately 10 years.
It is thought that, whilst in Newport, the cradle supporting the ship in its pill collapsed. The hull was flooded and the majority of the ship was then taken apart, leaving only the lower hull that we have today.
The Newport Ship was built using the ‘clinker’ or lapstrake shipbuilding method, first used by the Vikings. This method is characterized by overlapping planks, each fastened to its neighbours, as opposed to the ‘carvel’ tradition in which the planks are butted smoothly against each other. The clinker method remained popular in northern Europe and the Basque Country well into the Renaissance period.
Today, the ship remains in pieces following conservation of the timbers ready for reconstruction in a permanent display space.
To learn more about the ship, its excavation, conservation and preservation in the various sections. Or you can visit the Ship Centre, opening dates and times may found under the Plan Your Visit section. You can also purchase a copy of the guidebook produced and published by the Friends.