Excavation work completed in Castletown

Manx National Heritage has finished investigating an entrance gate and is now looking for a permanent arrangement to protect it from the tide in future. 

 

It was discovered in February 2014 when the dock was excavated to enable the 'Peggy' to be removed from the boat cellar which it had been entombed in for two centuries. 

 

The cellar was built around 230 years ago by George Quayle for the boat - one of the oldest surviving wooden sailing boats in the world. 

 

It had been created by excavating into the limestone bedrock and was protected by high walls - the last bout of investigation work was designed to reveal the arrangements for closing off the entrance.