The wreck of a royal treasure ship that sank in the Forth carrying cargo worth hundreds of millions has been discovered following a search spanning several decades, according to a new report. The Blessing of Burntisland went down off the Fife coastline during a fierce storm in 1633 while transporting King Charles I's belongings after he had been crowned King of Scotland in Edinburgh.
It is thought to contain a legendary 280-piece silver dining service commissioned by King Henry VIII alongside other royal artefacts, which could today be valued at more than £1 billion.
Decades-Long Search Yields Results
The wreck has baffled treasure hunters for centuries, but now – following a 30-year search – the Burntisland Heritage Trust believes it has at last pinpointed the whereabouts of the wooden ferry. In recent years, the operation has been headed by convener Ian Archibald and a dedicated team of volunteers.
A report titled Burntisland Blessing Report reads: "During the coronation tour of Charles 1 in July 1633, The Blessing, a baggage ferry en route from Burntisland to Leith, sank in unexpectedly rough waters. Sadly, only two of the 35 passengers and crew survived. The Royal cargo was reported to have been worth £100,000 at the time, a sum equivalent to several hundreds of millions today."
Historical Context and Next Steps
In 1999, when the trust previously announced it might have discovered the sunken treasure ship, the value of the gold and silver aboard was estimated at £500 million. Today, that would equate to £1.1 billion.
The discovery has been reported to the UK Government's Receiver of Wreck team, who will investigate the ownership of the wreck's contents and collaborate with archaeologists and museums. If verified, it would represent the most significant find in British waters since the recovery of the Mary Rose.
Charles I witnessed the sinking of The Blessing in horror from the deck of his own vessel, the Dreadnought. He attributed it to witchcraft and subsequently rounded up 19 witches in Lancashire, accusing them of summoning the squall that overwhelmed the ship.
