Coastal defences project finds century-old anchor

A century-old anchor has recently been found by a coastal defence project.

A Southsea Coastal Scheme team was working along Southsea Common in Portsmouth, Hampshire, when it found an iron Admiralty-type anchor weighing about 200kg (441lbs).

It was recovered along the area which stretches from the Blue Reef Aquarium to the Hovertravel terminal.

The project said anchors of that type had been "frequently left behind" as they had been considered "disposable" in their day, making that "an exciting, but not entirely unexpected discovery".

Also called fisherman's, the Admiralty-type anchors were often used around Portsmouth for various maritime tasks, from securing pontoons to steadying buoys.

Their design uses two flukes attached to the central shank by arms perpendicular to the main axis.

They have been described as difficult to handle and needing to be extremely heavy to provide adequate holding.

Archaeological and heritage services company Wessex Archaeology visited the site to document the find.

Its principal heritage consultant Naomi Brennan said the discovery was "a recognisable symbol and tangible evidence of Southsea's maritime heritage".

"This one appears to be around 100 years old, and the modern rope found tied around it suggests it could have been in use from the mid 1900's onwards.

"However it could be made from parts that are much older as this type of anchor was in use since the mid-19th Century."

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