Shipwrecks and submarines: Protecting England's unusual heritage

Shipwrecks and submarines: Protecting England's unusual heritage

This year has seen several unique and historically significant sites across England receive enhanced protection, as Historic England adds new listings to its National Heritage List. Among the 199 new sites designated in 2025 are an enigmatic shipwreck, a striking cathedral, and a pioneering locale in communication history, each recognized for their architectural or historic importance. Listing these places grants legal safeguards against certain alterations, underscoring their value to the nation’s cultural heritage.

One of the most intriguing additions is the Pin Wreck off the Dorset coast, a naval steam mooring lighter believed to have sunk around 1903. Discovered three and a half decades ago, this wreck was only recently identified in 2024, notable for its Victorian-era equipment and early diving gear. Found 27 meters underwater near St Alban’s Head, it derives its name from the numerous yellow copper bolts visible on its structure. Marine archaeologist Hefin Meara remarked on the ongoing revelations that such long-explored wrecks continue to offer, highlighting its connection to the rescue of the HMS Eurydice in 1878.

In Liverpool, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been promoted from Grade II* to Grade I, the highest grade, indicating exceptional interest. Opened in 1967, its innovative circular design places the congregation around a central altar, a departure from traditional arrangements. Deacon Paul Mannings, who has served the cathedral since its inauguration, shared reflections on its vibrant community activities, including a popular beer festival. He also emphasized the spiritual atmosphere created by the cathedral’s unique blue, red, and gold stained glass, describing it as an “oasis of calmness” for visitors.

Greenwich’s submarine telephone cable hauler and gantry, known as a foundation of modern communication, has also been recognized for its historic role. It played a crucial part in deploying the first successful transatlantic telephone cable in 1956, helping to connect England globally and effectively paving the way for the internet. Tajinder Bhambra, managing director of Alcatel Submarine Networks UK, highlighted that much of today’s connected world relies on the underwater cables laid from this site, noting that Greenwich should be celebrated not only for its association with time but also as the “home of communication.”

Other notable listings include the Adams Heritage Centre in Cambridgeshire, which preserves a late 19th-century building once renowned for skate supplies during harsh winters. Nicola Power, a trustee, described the centre as a community hub “that has stood still in time,” cherished for its deep local connections. Draper’s Windmill in Kent, a rare operational smock mill built around 1843, was upgraded to Grade II* in recognition of its historical milling technology. Robin Colyer, chair of the trust that saved the mill from demolition in 1965, reflected on its revival and its importance as a representation of pre-steam milling methods.

Baroness Twycross, Heritage Minister, praised the variety and richness of Britain

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