After more than four centuries, the long-lost treasure ship of King Charles I may have been located off the coast of Scotland. The vessel, known as the Blessing of Burntisland, sank in July 1633 while carrying the monarch’s valuables across the Firth of Forth during a storm that also claimed dozens of lives.

The Blessing of Burntisland was transporting a significant royal cargo, including jewelry, clothing, plates, and coins, which contemporary reports valued at approximately £100,000—a figure that translates to several hundred million pounds in today’s terms. Among the items believed to be onboard is a gold and silver dinner service originally commissioned by Henry VIII.

For decades, efforts to find the wreck were hampered by challenging conditions, including the depth of the waters, shifting silts, and poor visibility in the Firth of Forth. However, a community group known as Burntisland Heritage has spent 30 years researching the site. Using subsea ground-penetrating radar and advanced scanning technologies, the group now believes it has identified the location of the shipwreck roughly one mile from the town of Burntisland in Fife.

Ian Archibald, who leads the Burntisland Heritage search team, confirmed the discovery of a timber sample believed to be part of the ship’s structure. He noted that while the team remains cautious about the find, the next steps would involve carbon dating the sample to verify its age and establish a definitive link to the Blessing of Burntisland.

If confirmed, the discovery could shed new light on a significant historical event associated with Charles I’s reign and offer invaluable insight into 17th-century maritime history and royal possessions. Further investigations and underwater explorations are anticipated to clarify the extent of the wreck and its potential treasure.