Protocol Archaeological Discoveries

Brett_0381: Tank Gun Sight

In November 2011, Ashley Wilkinson discovered this find at Brett Aggregates Cliffe Wharf. It was dredged by DEME Victor Horta with aggregate from Licence Area 351, which lies approximately 20km east of Shanklin, Isle of Wight. A detailed description was provided by the wharf staff. The object has a heavy steel body with possible stainless steel mounting rings top and bottom. The wider end of the object has flecks of white paint on the outside, around the end, internal and external fine threads are visible. Looking down that same end the lens is still present. The narrow end of the object is misshapen, perhaps due to the circumstances of its disposition on the seafloor or its recovery during the aggregate extraction process. When held up to the light it is possible to see straight through, but unclear to see if either direction is magnified. The identification of this find has been quite tricky due to the degraded nature of the find. Photographs of this find were shown to a wide range of specialists. The Tank Museum said that it bears similarities to the Sherman tank’s 75mm gun sight but they have numerical gradings/markings on the lens, which this find does not appear to have. Although Brett_0381 is currently considered to be an isolated find it may relate to a shipwreck and further discoveries from Licence Area 351 could shed light on activities in this area.