Site Event/Activity record EHG3141 - Survey and excavation of the John Preston, Sound of Mull (SOMAP)

A thorough seabed survey of visible remains of this wreck took place over a period of six years from 1994 to 2000. Initially the survey focused on constructing a "web" of measurements, by measuring between datum points fixed to individual objects within the site. This proved impractical and in 1997, when it became obvious that fresh areas of hull were being exposed, a change of strategy took place. In 1999 a major hull-recording programme was undertaken adopting a grid-based recording system using a small number of fixed control points. Some limited excavation was also undertaken to aid understanding of the stratigraphy of the deposits overlying the ship and the construction of the vesssel. Three trial trenches measuring approximately 1 square metre were dug by hand to a depth of around 60cm. After planning and recording the trenches were back-filled and stabilised with sandbags.