Last week marked the 244th anniversary of the launch of Admiral Nelson’s favourite ship, HMS Agamemnon. Affectionately known as ‘Eggs and Bacon’, HMS Agamemnon was built at Buckler’s Hard in Hampshire, UK from 2000 oaks and launched there on 10th April 1781.
The 64-gun ship fought in the Battle of Trafalgar and served the Royal Navy for nearly 30 years, before sinking after being wrecked off the coast of Uruguay. While today Buckler’s Hard is a quiet spot on the banks of the Beaulieu River, back in the 18th century it was a hive of activity, building warships which would go on to play key parts in British naval history.
The wreck of HMS Agamemnon was rediscovered in 1993 and in March 2024 an international diving mission was conducted at the wreck’s location in Uruguay to study the remains of the historic ship.
Director of Buckler’s Hard, the Hon. Mary Montagu-Scott, worked alongside teams from the University of Southampton, the Maritime Archaeology Trust, Bournemouth University, and UDELAR (University of the Republic, Uruguay) to carry out an archaeological survey of the wreck of the vessel.
The long-lost ship lies just half a mile (800m) from the shore, in a depth of 33’ (10m). Despite challenging visibility conditions, divers were able to conduct a thorough photogrammetry survey, discovering much of the starboard side intact, with copper bolt fastenings still evident among the timber.
Diving on the wreck has always been a lifelong ambition for Mary Montagu-Scott. “I have always dreamt of seeing this wreck,” she explained, “as HMS Agamemnon is the only surviving wreck of a ship built at Buckler’s Hard in the world. There are hopes of a return visit to the wreck later this year for a second survey, this time covering a wider area with the hope of finding the port side, whilst monitoring the ongoing deterioration of the timbers.”
A new exhibition ‘HMS Agamemnon – Navigating the Legend’ was created at Buckler’s Hard to tell the story of how nations are working together to preserve the wreck of Nelson’s favourite ship, now at risk of being exposed to erosion, treasure hunters and worm decay. The exhibition, located in the Shipwright’s Workshop, is free to visit.
Mary added: “I have created this exhibition at Buckler’s Hard to promote and tell the story of how we will work jointly across nations to preserve the remains for future generations. The story is one that can bring our nations together, share the history, science and knowledge, and develop and celebrate our friendship through Maritime Archaeology.”