Huge 17th-century artefact uncovered in Thames after centuries underwater

A diver has discovered a bronze cannon on the shipwreck of a warship that was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion and sank in 1665.

The 17th-century ship the London formed part of a convoy sent in 1660 to collect Charles II from the Netherlands and restore him to the throne.

Its protected wreck lies in two parts off Southend Pier in Essex, and the cannon was discovered buried in silt and clay on the seabed.

The find was made by Steve Ellis, one of Historic England’s licenced divers.

Mr Ellis said: “This discovery sheds new light on my theories about how the ship may have exploded and how it came to lie in two parts on the seabed.”