A mystery 19th century shipwreck has been granted government protection.

The unidentified sail-powered vessel, a coal transporter, lies off the Goodwin Sands near Deal and Sandwich.

It has now come under the wing of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport following the advice of Historic England.

It is covered by scheduling ,which means recreational divers can visit it but its contents are protected by law and must be left in place.

The wreck, listed as GAD23, is a rare example of a once common wooden cargo vessel in the 19th century.

It is one of two given this status, the other being the remains of a similar ship found in the Thames Estuary off Essex.

GAD23 was a coal transporter at a time when England was the world’s leading producer and exporter of the commodity to Europe.

It is also known as the Bowsprit wreck because the long spar, which runs out of the sailing ship’s bow is still visible. Ropes were once tied to it to support the foremast.

Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "These shipwrecks serve to teach us about the legacy of Britain's industrial past. I am pleased that these new protections will enable us to preserve them as we continue to learn more about the role they have played in our nation's history."

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England said: “These ships help tell the fascinating story of England’s industrial history. They are a rare survival of merchant trading that took place around Britain’s coast.

"They were in a period when Britain rapidly expanded in its industrial and commercial activities.

"They are special and deserve protection as well-preserved examples of a common type of vessel of the time, with their cargos of coal and Cornish slate clearly recognisable.”

Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke added: “I welcome the news."This an example of the rich historic as well as environmental marine context that the Goodwin Sands represents and will provide an interesting insight into our industrial and shipping history."

GAD 23 is a near complete wooden cargo vessel lying on the seabed. It rests on its keel and was carrying a large consignment of coal when it sank.

Its remains are at risk of degrading because its hull is exposed to the elements due to shifting tides.

Britain produced and exported coal throughout the 18th and 19th centuries with 118,000,000 tons exported (17% of the 697,000,000 produced) between 1853 and 1902.

To date, more than 5,000 vessels of wrecks recorded in English waters were involved in the coal trade.

Only 26 wrecks have been identified as sail-powered colliers, so GAD 23 is a rare example of a formerly very common cargo ship. There is only one other collier that has been granted protection, at Seaton Carew in County Durham.

Research into GAD23 has revealed that it could be one of three ships known to have sunk in the notorious shifting s Goodwin Sands.

Possible candidates have been identified from the tonnage, location and cargo,.

They include the Archimedes, which went down in 1876, the Zia Catherina, sunk in 1878 or the Superior which sank in 1868.

The latter is less likely as it was a much larger ship.

All three went underwater in collisions and there is damage to the starboard side of GAD 23 which would support this theory

Despite this, the wreck is in good condition with its hull intact and iron objects such as the pump surviving.

The cargo of coal within the hull is potentially preserving the remains of the hold and lower hull.

Although much of the starboard side of the ship is covered by a sand bank it is at risk due to exposure from shifting tides.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich