Rare chance to view historic Hastings shipwreck this week

The wreck of the great Dutch East Indiaman, at Bulverhythe beach, can only be seen at exceptionally low tides.
The next in the occasional series of exploratory guided tours by the Shipwreck Museum, at Hastings, takes place on Thursday June 16.
People  should be able to see, not only the historically-important wreck, but also the astonishing remains of a perfectly preserved Bronze Age forest as well as stretches of Cretaceous rock, dating back to around 135-140 million years ago.
Tim McDonald, from the Shipwreck Museum, said: “If you are interested in going on this unusual and fascinating walk, you’ll have to be up bright and early as it begins at 7:15 in the morning.”
Visitors should assemble at the Viewing Platform, which is to be found by Bulverhythe beach at the far side of the railway bridge at the end of Bridge Way, West St Leonards, TN38 8AP.
Tickets are available for purchase in the Shipwreck Museum, situated near the end of Rock-a-Nore Road in Hastings Old Town, and can be booked by telephone on 01424 437452 or by e-mail on [email protected].
The cost of £6 for adults and £2 for children includes a copy of the fully-illustrated Amsterdam guidebook by Dr Peter Marsden. Tickets can also be obtained from the walk leaders on the day itself, but payment then must be made by cash.
Tim McDonald added: “It is strongly recommended that visitors don appropriate footwear, bearing in mind that it can be wet, slippery – and muddy. It is also suggested that provision be made for the fact that early mornings on Bulverhythe beach, whilst very pleasant, can also be a little on the chilly side. Please be there punctually, because this walk is, quite literally, a case where ‘time and tide wait for no man’.
The Amsterdam was run ashore in a severe gale on Sunday 26 January 1749. Fifty of her crew of 333 had died of plague, traditionally said to be yellow fever, since the ship left the Netherlands on the first stage of her intended maiden trading voyage to Java, via the