In 1973 divers from Bristol discovered a wreck on the north coast of the island Eilean Rudha an Ridire in the Sound of Mull.
A recovered brass bell confirmed it as the wreck of HMS Dartmouth and the wreck subsequently underwent three years of archaeological survey.
Twenty iron guns of varying types were identified and parts of the ship's hull were recovered for closer examination.
A varied selection of 17th century military, navigational, medical and domestic items were also recovered.
The archaeological study supported traditional accounts of the ship's wrecking  and showed that parts of Dartmouth's construction differed from conventional methods.

On 11 April 1974, the wrecksite was one of the first to be designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act.
It was redesignated on 25 June 1992.
The site became a Historic Maritime Protected Area in 2013.
In 1973 divers from Bristol discovered a wreck on the north coast of the island Eilean Rudha an Ridire in the Sound of Mull. A recovered brass bell confirmed it as the wreck of HMS Dartmouth and the wreck subsequently underwent three years of archaeological survey. Twenty iron guns of varying types were identified and parts of the ship's hull were recovered for closer examination. A varied selection of 17th century military, navigational, medical and domestic items were also recovered. The archaeological study supported traditional accounts of the ship's wrecking  and showed that parts of Dartmouth's construction differed from conventional methods.
On 11 April 1974, the wrecksite was one of the first to be designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act. It was redesignated on 25 June 1992. The site became a Historic Maritime Protected Area in 2013.
HMS Dartmouth (1655)