Anchor recovered from Barrow Deep by West Mersea Skipper Pat Mead of fishing boat OAKLEIGH and landed at Colchester Hythe. The anchor weighed over 2 tons and is believed to be pre-1820.
October 2009 more information from Pat Mead:
The anchor was caught below the Mid Barrow on the Sunk side and it had 10 fathoms of tarred rope hawser attached. He was on the OAKLEIGH with Carl Seeley as crew. The crane at the Hythe measured 2 tons 1 ¾ cwt. They dropped it on the quay to knock off ½ ton of accretation.
Pat went to an 'expert' who said it came from a Naval frigate and it was a kedge, not the main anchor.
Date: August 1977