Ill-fated ship was attacked by dreaded worm

The crew of a 16th-century shipwreck discovered in Schull harbour tried to repair damage to the hull caused by a dreaded naval shipworm.

The ill-fated ship’s crew applied pitch and tar to the hull to protect the vessel from the devastating effects of the shipworm species teredo navalis.

Underwater archaeologists investigating the wreck, which lies in 10m of water, are concentrating their efforts on the damage caused by the marine worm in a bid to solve the mystery of its sinking.