THE first pieces of the medieval ship uncovered in Newport 15 years ago have been put back together.

The different wooden parts of the ship were taken apart after the excavation and, since then, they have been transported to York in batches for a preservation treatment.

Charles Ferris, patron of the Friends of the Newport Ship, said the pieces they have put back together are the first four strakes up from the keel.

He said: “It is the first time they are reunited since they were taken apart in the excavation.

“These pieces have gone through freeze drying for preservation and they fit back together perfectly.

“It proves the conservation has worked, it is wonderful.

“Curator Dr Toby Jones has put them together, it is all down to his work.”

Mr Ferris said they have timbers which are currently going through the preservation treatment and that they have more to send up.

He said they will have all of the pieces back in 18 months.

“There are a total of 2,300 pieces of timber, 1,700 of them are part of the main body of the ship,” he said. “I do not know how long it will take to reconstruct all of the ship, I would imagine it will take up to three years.

“The ship will be more than 20 feet tall and 100 feet long when she is reconstructed. She won’t be much smaller than the Mary Rose and she was built 80 years earlier.

“Annually, it is expected she will bring 150,000 visitors to Newport and £7 million to the local economy.”

The patron said the ship was made with Basque timbers, which were either from Pamplona or from a town near Bilbao. The ship was so well preserved when it was found that tar from when it was sailing still oozed from it.

The 15th century Spanish-built ship was found preserved in June 2002 on the west bank of the River Usk as land was cleared for the Riverfront Arts Centre.

The Friends of the Newport Ship are holding an open day this Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.

It is taking place at Unit 20 in Estuary Road, in the Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate.

To keep up to date with their work, visit their Facebook page on facebook.com/newportship