A storm-exposed shipwreck found on a remote beach in Sanday, Orkney, has been identified as the remains of the HMS Hind, an 18th-century Royal Navy frigate that saw action in major historic battles before ending its days as a whaling vessel. The discovery offers a remarkable glimpse into Britain’s maritime and military history.

The wreck came to light in early 2024 when a local schoolboy spotted large wooden timbers jutting from the sand. Unlike typical wreck debris, these oak planks, carefully constructed with wooden pegs, hinted at a ship of significant age and craftsmanship.

Eighteen months of research and collaboration between archaeologists, historians, and the local community have confirmed that the 10-by-5-metre section of the hull once belonged to the HMS Hind. Built in Chichester in 1749, the 24-gun frigate served for nearly four decades — an unusually long lifespan for a wooden warship of its era.

Ben Saunders, a senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology who led the investigation with Historic Environment Scotland (HES), called the Hind “a remarkably long-lived and lucky ship.” Naval records reveal its involvement in several key campaigns of the Seven Years’ War, including the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec. It later took part in operations during the American Revolutionary War.

After decades in military service, the vessel was retired, renamed The Earl of Chatham, and repurposed as a 500-ton Arctic whaler. It ultimately met its end in the North Sea on April 29, 1788 — but in one final stroke of good fortune, all 56 people aboard survived, as noted in an old entry from the Aberdeen Journal.

Identifying the wreck was a meticulous process. Dendrochronological testing on timber samples revealed that the oak was felled in southern England in spring 1748 — a perfect match for the Hind’s construction timeline. Researchers sifted through maritime logs, shipping registries, and centuries-old news reports to narrow down possibilities from among over 270 documented shipwrecks off Sanday.

Local knowledge played a vital role in the investigation. For centuries, islanders have salvaged shipwrecks for building materials — a practical necessity on the largely treeless island. Some homes on Sanday still contain beams and masts from old wrecks. “Some of the people we’ve worked with have half their roofs held up with timbers from wrecked ships,” Saunders remarked.

HES’s Alison Turnbull highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, calling it a testament to the value of empowering local communities to explore their own heritage. “This rare and fascinating story shows that the people who live closest to these sites often hold the clues to unlocking their history.”

For now, the salvaged remains of HMS Hind are being preserved in water at the Sanday Heritage Centre, as discussions continue about a permanent display. The wreck not only enriches the history of Orkney’s coastline but also serves as a reminder of the enduring connection between people and the sea — and the stories that lie buried beneath the sand.