Newport Medieval Ship

The Newport Medieval Ship is a merchant vessel from the 15th century whose wooden structures were discovered during construction work in 2002 along the River Usk. The 35-meter-long ship still displays evidence of its working life at sea.

The ship was built around the mid-15th century and sailed between Britain and Southern Europe. It sank around 1469 when it tipped onto its starboard side during repairs, which preserved it in the river mud.

The vessel demonstrates the importance of trade routes between Britain and the Iberian Peninsula during the 15th century. Found objects such as Portuguese ceramics and Merino wool reveal what merchants commonly carried across these waters.

Access to the ship is through the Ship Centre, which opens only on certain days of the year. It is wise to check opening times in advance and plan how to reach the location.

The ship's wooden components were treated with a special preservative after recovery to protect them for the future. Researchers used three-dimensional imaging to document every part of the hull, capturing details that would otherwise be lost.

Location: Newport

Elevation above the sea: 8 m

Website: https://newportship.org

GPS coordinates: 51.58833,-2.99361

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:01