Sands of time reveal 18th-century Royal Naval vessel

THIS wreck, hidden for centuries by sea and shifting sands, is a Royal Navy ship, experts have confirmed.

- By Lauren Beavis

Like many vessels at the time, the Earl of Chatham fell foul of stormy seas off Sanday, in Orkney, some 250 years ago.

It was discovered by locals in February last year on the island north of mainland Scotland when the sand covering the timbers moved.

Originally called HMS Hind by the Navy, she was eventually sold as a whaling ship and renamed.