Nor'easter unearths Revolutionary War-era shipwreck on Maine shoreline
Last week's destructive nor'easter, which slammed New England's coast with powerful winds and fierce waves, unearthed the remnants of a Revolutionary War-era shipwreck along Short Sands Beach in York, Maine.
While all that remains of the vessel is the ship's deteriorated skeleton and ribbing, it is a rare spectacle for beachgoers as it is usually buried beneath several feet of sand.
"The vessel, most likely a sailing ship from anywhere between 1750 and 1850, is usually buried in the sand at Short Sands Beach, but has appeared a handful of times after stormy weather uncovered it," archaeologist Leith Smith told the Boston Globe.
Last week's nor'easter has unearthed a 160-year-old shipwreck along Maine's Short Sands Beach. (Photo/York Maine Police Department)
Smith is a historic archaeologist with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. The shipwreck, which likely met its end as a result of stormy weather, is thought to be at least 160 years old.
The last time the ship made an appearance on Short Sands Beach was in 2013 after a spring storm, according to the Globe.
The ship has been sighted at least as far back as the late 1950s but was officially investigated by archaeologists in 1980. It was spotted again in 2007, according to a report from Seacoastonline.com.
After much discussion and a meeting with archaeologists and York residents, many concluded that the remnants were from a type of fishing vessel known as a pincke, or a pink, the report said.
"Boats of this type had a high, narrow stern and square rigging. They were easily maneuverable along the rocky coast of Maine and were a popular fishing and cargo vessel during the 18th century," Seacoastonline reported.
York Maine Police Department shot photos of a 160-year-old shipwreck along Short Sands Beach unearthed by last week's powerful storm. (Photo/York Maine Police Department)
After making several appearances, the ship has been mapped by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and has been designated as an archaeological site. Further study has yet to be conducted.
It is one of 67 other known shipwrecks in the region and one of 28 that has been discovered, according to the report.
“As such, it is a significant archaeological site,” the commission's senior archaeologist, Arthur Spiess, told Seacoastonline in 2007.
“A major dig would be a useful and interesting thing to do — probably just to look in more detail at the ship’s structure and construction, since small artifacts and cargo are probably gone,” Spiess added.
However, with limited resources and a number of unaccounted shipwrecks, it is likely the site will be left to be covered by coastal sands once again.
"Unfortunately for the curious, a major dig on Short Sands Beach would be difficult and costly," Seacoastonline reported in 2007, adding that until resources are available, the commission likes to leave these sites untouched for future archaeologists.
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