Shipwrecks - friend or foe?

Within the CHASM project we are extremely fortunate to be receiving help from the license holder of a nearby historic wreck in Bracklesham Bay. The wreck itself is showing us a great deal about changes in the marine environment and makes a positive contribution to the project.

A recent blog by the Maritime Archaeology Trust discusses the huge benefits and potential drawbacks of historic wreck sites and whether shipwrecks are friend or foe to the natural marine environment. The blog concludes:

'Historical shipwrecks not only provide valuable insights into our history and relationship with the sea, but can create marine life refuges and unique habitats. Their degradation is vulnerable to many factors, some out of our control, and their deterioration does bring with it some pollution hazards. Collaboration between heritage and marine science interests is developing to help address the challenges facing our shipwrecks and oceans'

Photo copyright Martin Davies

Archaeology, History & Culture

The history of the Manhood Peninsula and its settlements is long enough to include Early Man and the Romans. The area has been in active use for millennia and can boast walks and cycling, woods and fields. You can go back even further in time by discovering the fossils of Bracklesham Bay. Find out more about the archaeology and history of the... Read More»

1950's Selsey Sea Defences

Sea defences have been required in the Manhood Peninsula for many years. A great deal of work was needed following a particularly bad storm in December 1951 which wrecked houses along the Selsey sea front, and led to their subsequent demolition.  Following is a gallery of images courtesy of Royal Haskoning, the Coastal Engineering Consultant for Chichester District, showing the coastline and sea defences evolve... Read More»

Archaeology at Medmerry

Medmerry,  the country's first and largest open coast managed re-alignment scheme, is located south of Chichester. The site is managed by the RSPB together with Pagham Harbour, however the scheme itself was built by the Environment Agency as a flood defence work for Selsey and the Manhood peninsula. During the build a great deal of important archaeology was discovered that rewrote... Read More»