A fragment of ship's timber was found at the mouth of Foxhole Cave, Little Haven, exposed during lowered sand-levels in February 2024.

The timber is 800mm in length, 95mm wide and 60mm thick. It is characterised by a pair of treenail holes 250mm apart, of 23-25mm diameter. A hole from a square-shafted nail, 10mm in cross section is also visible in the surface of the timber. It is slightly curved towards one end, but its general form is ambiguous and may be part of a plank, a rubbing strake, or a piece of framing timber. There is evidence of damage from teredo (shipworm) and gribble indicating some previous exposure.

The timber is likely to derive from one of the many wooden ships documented as being lost in the area during the post-medieval period. It is now housed at the St Brides Inn, Little Haven.

J. Whitewright, February 2024.

Cofnod Safle

Ship's timber, Foxhole, Little Haven