A DIVER has uncovered a bronze cannon in a remarkable discovery on the shipwreck of a 17th-century warship located off Southend Pier.

The historic ship, The London, formed part of a convoy sent in 1660 to collect Charles II from the Netherlands and restore him to the throne.

History - The LondonHistory - The London (Image: Touch Productions/PA Wire)

It was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion and sank in 1665  killing 300 people. Its protected wreck now lies in two parts off Southend Pier.

The cannon was found by Steve Ellis, one of Historic England’s licensed divers, who has been diving in the Thames Estuary for the last 14 years.

The cannon was discovered buried in silt and clay on the seabed.

Wow - Divers preparing to dive in the Thames Estuary off Southend PierWow - Divers preparing to dive in the Thames Estuary off Southend Pier (Image: PA Wire)

Mr Ellis said: “It was so exciting to see the cannon emerge from the seabed after many years of diving the site.

“This discovery sheds new light on my theories about how the ship may have exploded and how it came to lie in two parts on the seabed.”

The London was built at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent in 1654-1656 during a time of great political upheaval after the English Civil War and the First Anglo-Dutch War.

Fascinating - A bronze cannon that has been discovered on the shipwreckFascinating - A bronze cannon that has been discovered on the shipwreck (Image: PA Wire)

The newly discovered cannon is believed to be a Commonwealth medium-sized 8ft by 6in Demi-cannon, cast by George Browne around 1656 to 1657.

It is part of a set made for the London which was placed on the lower gun deck of the ship.

This type of cannon is larger than a culverin and smaller than a regular 42 pounder (19kg) cannon.

Explore - Heading down to the seabedExplore - Heading down to the seabed (Image: PA Wire)

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, added: “This amazing discovery will help us to better understand the types of cannons on board the London when it blew up in 1665.

“They weren’t all the same as some were captured from enemy ships, so there is a complex story to unravel here.

“Our licensed divers play a huge part in investigating and monitoring our Protected Wrecks at sea, ensuring they are there for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”