UK Grants Protection to Earl of Abergavenny Wreck

The wreck of the Earl of Abergavenny, a merchant ship that sank in 1805 off the coast of Weymouth, Dorset, has been granted special protection by the UK government due to its historical significance and tragic loss of approximately 250 lives. The ship, which was part of the East India Company's fleet, was carrying over 60 chests of silver bullion, valued at around £70,000 at the time, equivalent to approximately £7.5 million today, and has never been recovered. Captained by John Wordsworth, brother of the famous Romantic poet William Wordsworth, the ship sank after hitting a sandbank during a storm on a voyage to Bengal and China. Historic England recommended the protective status, which allows divers to explore the wreck while keeping the site untouched. The Wordsworth family had close ties to the East India Company, and the shipwreck significantly influenced William Wordsworth's subsequent poetry, reflecting his grief and sorrow over his brother's death. The wreck's protection underscores its importance in maritime history and its connection to literature.