Researchers identify 17th century Dutch merchant ship from Salcombe Bay

A member of the South West Maritime Archaeological Group discovered a treasure of gold coins and jewelry while diving in Salcombe Bay, Devon, on 30 April 1995.

The British Museum acquired the recovered cargo after the group conducted a meticulous excavation of the site. Researchers later used archival work to identify the vessel as the Dom van Keulen, a Dutch merchant ship.

This discovery provided new information about daily life on the ship and the trading connections between Morocco and northern Europe during the 17th century.