During the storms of December 2013/January 2014, the upside down remains of wooden vessel comprising a length of keel, outer planking fastened with iron pins, together with main and filling frames were uncovered on the beach. The beach had dropped and scoured around the remains to expose some 15.5m x 3.4m of the vessel. Some 20m to the south, an additional piece of timber and concretions were also recorded.

Local resident Gordon Smith, whose Grandfather was a member of the Castlemartin Coastguard Rocket Crew, confirms that the remains are that of the WILLEMOES of Thuro (see NPRN 273193) which was wrecked on Christmas Day 1924. The wreck originally ran aground near Gravel Bay to the north, but was eventually driven onshore more at the centre of the beach. Five of the six-man crew made it safely ashore. The wreck has been exposed several times over the years, the last time photographed by Mr Smith being in the 1980s.

Sources include:
Pers. Com. Gordon Smith, 8 January 2015
Malvern Archaeological Diviing Unit, 2014, Survey and Recording of an 'Upside Down Wreck' on Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, January 2015.