The hull of a British clipper that ran aground on a Brazilian beach more than 120 years ago has been uncovered by storms.

Kestrel was taking goods between North America and Brazil when it was caught in a tropical storm and driven ashore on February 11, 1895.

The town of Santos in southeast Brazil has since become a resort, and the wreck was forgotten until it was uncovered by the storm earlier this year. Archaeologists are waiting for the Brazilian navy to authorise excavation of the wreck, which is 50 metres long.

Kestrel, built in 1871 with coal-powered steam engines and three masts, spent 20 years taking cargo across the Atlantic.

Professor Manoel Gonzalez, the archaeologist preparing to lead the excavation, said: “This has