Speaker's tonnage was 727 tons burthen. She had a length of 143 feet (43.6 m), and two decks, designed to accommodate the admiral and his officers.[3] The ship had a breadth of 34 feet 4 inches (10.5 m).[4] Originally designed to have 44 guns, the armament was increased to 50 guns in October 1649, and 56 guns by 1653. This was increased again to 60 guns between 1655 and 1660.[5]
Local divers found the wreck site in 1980.[12] The initial designation was of 50 metres (160 ft) around what is now known as the South Mound; the North Mound was discovered in 1999 and the area was amended under Statutory Instrument number 2004/2395 as a 300 metres (980 ft) radius around 51° 15.6302' N, 01° 30.0262' E.[12]
It is believed that Mary lies under the South Mound and the North Mound is probably the third rateHMS Restoration that was wrecked in the same storm.[12] The site lies 100 metres (330 ft) to the west of the Goodwin Sands off Deal, between the wrecks of HMS Stirling Castle and HMS Northumberland, which also sank in the storm.[12]
The site was investigated by Wessex Archaeology on 25 June 2006.[12] The South Mound measures 28 by 12 metres (92 ft × 39 ft) but has not been studied in detail.[12]
Legacy
Mary could be considered as the first example of a ship of the line. Although it was built before the concept of a ship of the line was developed, it some of the characteristics of such a ship.[13]
