The vessel, now known as Asterix, sank in the harbour in around 280 AD after catching fire – and several of its timbers and more than 1,000 other artefacts were preserved when its cargo of tar set in a solid mass around it.
The wreck was discovered by a diver on Christmas Day in 1982 and was raised between 1984 and 1986. Since then the timbers have been undergoing conservation work at the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth.
Guernsey Museum is now displaying two of the timbers as part of a summer exhibition.
‘This is the first time that local people have had the chance to see the timbers. It is a fascinating display and I hope people will enjoy what has been put together,’ said Dr Philip de Jersey, Guernsey States’ archaeologist.
Asterix is the largest and most complete seagoing Roman ship to have survived outside the Mediterranean.
Dr Jason Monaghan, Guernsey Museums director, said that before the early 1980s there was very little evidence that the Romans had taken an interest in Guernsey.
But he said that, following a series of discoveries, it was clear that the island was in contact with the Roman world as early as 120BC.
‘Ancient St Peter Port became a port of call on the Atlantic wine route – the beginning of over 2,000 years of our involvement in international trade,’ he said.
In addition to the ship’s timbers, the exhibition includes silver and gold jewellery from two Celtic coin hoards discovered in Jersey.
PUFFINS have once again returned to the Channel Islands to breed.
The colourful birds can now be seen around the coast of Alderney, Herm and its small neighbouring island of Jethou. It is believed there are about 20 of the under-threat birds on Herm alone.
Jamie Hooper, conservation officer for the Société Guernesiaise, said: ‘For several years now a maximum of 30 birds have been reported.
‘Boating disturbance remains a problem but many seabird species are site-faithful and return to their established colonies even if there are serious drawbacks.’
Mr Hooper said that the secluded nature of the cliffs allowed the birds to breed in their burrows in safety. He added: ‘Local waters also tend to provide enough food – predominantly sand eels – for both the adults and the single chick raised by each pair.’
The birds, whose numbers are dwindling because of a general shortage of food during some months of the year and because of growing disturbance from humans, usually leave local waters in the middle of the summer.
A NURSE who breached police bail and is suspected of fleeing Guernsey after being arrested over indecent-assault allegations has been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Ismaila Manneh, who is still wanted by Guernsey Police in relation to the allegations made by two other nurses, is believed to have returned to his native Gambia.
The NMC hearing was held to review a nine-month suspension order that had previously been placed on the nurse and which expired this month.
Following the issuing of the suspension order and the criminal allegations being made, the nurse left his home and failed to give a forwarding address.
The panel concluded that a striking -off order would be made because Mr Manneh had ‘damaged the reputation of the profession’ by failing to face the criminal allegations.
It concluded: ‘Mr Manneh failed to uphold proper standards of behaviour and conduct and has continued to do so.
‘In light of Mr Manneh’s total lack of engagement, the panel concluded that the seriousness of the case was incompatible with his ongoing registration.’
No further details were given about the indecent assault allegations.
Guernsey Police confirmed that the case has remained open and that if the nurse, who was a Guernsey Health Department employee, returns to the island he would be arrested.
A SHIPPING container came loose and fell into the sea during a Channel crossing in rough seas.
The freight ship Valiant was on its way to Alderney from Poole when the container, which was destined for Guernsey, came free.
A search operation, which involved a French helicopter, was launched but nothing was found.
A GUERNSEY woman has been sentenced to community service after biting a landlord when he ejected her from his pub. During New Year celebrations, Steisha Churchill (50) became disruptive and turned on the bar taps, leaving the area covered with beer.
Churchill then bit the landlord on the arm after he tried to restrain her.
She later told police she was ‘mortified’ and was this week sentenced to 50 hours’ community service in Guernsey Magistrate’s Court after admitting disorderly conduct and assault.
GUERNSEY’S George store – and others across Britain – have recalled their Spiderman costumes after a battery pack in one of the outfits exploded.
