Author Archives: Paul Stevenson

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About Paul Stevenson

Paul Stevenson is a barrister with a substantial interest in cultural property, heritage protection, and art law, particularly where it relates to international conventions. He is deputy head of legal for a major statutory corporation and philanthropic body and an associate of Tanfield Chambers in London

500-year old wreck discovered off the coast of Oman

Posted on: March 17, 2016 by Paul Stevenson

West Sussex-based marine consulting and operations company, Blue Water Recoveries, has announced the find of (probably) the Portuguese East Indiaman, the Esmeralda. Although not certain, it is thought to be very likely that the wreck, which lies off the coast of Oman, is the 500 year-old wreck of the vessel believed to have been commanded […]

Terror in the Arctic? Ownership of Franklin’s “lost expedition”

Posted on: September 22, 2014 by Paul Stevenson

Reports this month of an important maritime discovery as news outlets announce the likely find of a Devon-built explorer ship which it is thought was lost under the Arctic sea 160 years ago. The expedition of British Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin holds near mythic status in Canada, mystique underscored by reference to his expedition […]

Salvors strike gold off Florida’s “treasure coast”

Posted on: August 14, 2014 by Paul Stevenson

As further proof of its moniker the “treasure coast”, Reuters reports the recovery of a three centuries’ old treasure off the east coast of Florida. This is the most recent publicised discovery from the wreck site of the so-called “1715 fleet”, a convoy of approximately a dozen vessels (of which one apparently survived) which sank […]