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The Wreck of the Louisa is a post-medieval or modern vessel preserved on the Welsh coast, protected as a scheduled monument under Cadw reference GM553. The ship lies upon bedrock composed of Triassic mudstones, siltstones and sandstones, rocks formed over 200 million years ago when this region lay beneath ancient seas. The geological substrate has influenced both the wreck's preservation and the maritime hazards that vessels have faced in these waters for centuries.
The remains represent an important record of maritime activity and shipwreck risk along the Welsh coastline. The Triassic bedrock, with its varied stone composition and erosion patterns, has shaped the local seabed and coastal features that determined where ships could safely navigate. The wreck's survival in these conditions provides evidence of historical seafaring, vessel construction techniques and the perils of coastal waters.
As a scheduled monument, the Louisa is protected under Welsh heritage legislation to ensure the preservation of this maritime archaeological resource. The site contributes to understanding the region's maritime history and the relationship between geological conditions and human activity at sea. The wreck remains accessible to archaeological study and heritage interpretation, offering insights into post-medieval and modern seafaring practices.
The Wreck of the "Louisa" is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM553. View the official record →
The Wreck of the Louisa is a post-medieval or modern vessel preserved on the Welsh coast, protected as a scheduled monument under Cadw reference GM553.
The Wreck of the "Louisa" dates from the post medieval/modern period, and is classified as a boat. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
The Wreck of the "Louisa" is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is GM553.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cogan Deserted Medieval Village (4 km), Middleton Moated Site (6.2 km), Anti-aircraft and Coastal Battery West of Lavernock Point (6.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of The Wreck of the "Louisa"'s history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
The Wreck of the "Louisa" stands on Triassic Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Triassic. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.