Discovery of 18th Century Shipwrecks in North Carolina
Recently, archaeologists in North Carolina stumbled upon four shipwrecks from the 18th century, with one likely being an enemy ship that met its end in an explosion.
This announcement came from East Carolina University on July 24th, detailing the find made this past spring in Brunswicktown/Fort Anderson, an area known historically as Cape Fear.
Jeremy Borelli, a staff archaeologist involved with ECU’s Maritime Research Program, mentioned that their team managed to recover timber from 63 wooden shipwrecks during their exploration.
It appears the ship, identified as La Fortuna, was involved in an attack on the port during King George’s War in 1748, which was part of the broader French and Indian conflicts. It exploded off the coast near Brunswick and has remained undiscovered until now.
Borelli described the find as largely a matter of luck, adding that without their timely discovery, the wreck could have been lost indefinitely due to coastal erosion.
Surprisingly, the wooden remains looked remarkably preserved. “It’s as if it was cut just yesterday,” Borelli remarked, emphasizing the level of preservation. The wood still bears original tool markings from the time of its crafting.
Additionally, divers came across flat boat wrecks, which provide intriguing insights into everyday commercial life during the 18th century.
Archaeologists have also made observations that the vessels likely held various materials, although some container types are still unidentified.
Borelli expressed his excitement, noting, “It’s rare and extremely thrilling to find this variety of shipwrecks close to other significant historical structures.”
The team uncovered numerous artifacts but focused on those that would help date the shipwrecks. These included ceramic fragments, glass bottles, clay pipes, and various tools related to shipbuilding.
Items like canvas, remnants of leather footwear, possible clothing materials, and animal bones were also found, painting a richer picture of maritime life during that era.
Particularly, two pieces of Spanish Puebla blue Majolica ceramics were found, which serve as further evidence linking to the 18th-century Spanish-American sites, thus supporting the ship’s identification.
Borelli pointed out that these discoveries highlight the need to safeguard historic sites and the delicate cultural resources they harbor.
He noted the findings enhance our understanding of colonial history in North Carolina, revealing vulnerabilities of port towns and how damaged ships were often repurposed for land management.
“These wreckages showcase the extent of maritime activities from the past that inform us about how locations like Brunswicktown contributed to early developments in North Carolina,” he added.
Although the preliminary assessments are promising, Borelli acknowledged that there’s still much analysis to be undertaken. “This gives us a chance to evaluate shipwrecks originally located on the riverbed and compare them to other 18th-century vessels to clarify their identities.”
