Shipwreck Revealed on New Jersey Beach
Strong winds and rough waves have uncovered the remains of a 19th-century shipwreck buried under the sand at a New Jersey beach. The vessel, known as Lawrence N. Mackenzie, emerged at Island Beach State Park, a narrow barrier island located in Ocean County along the Jersey Shore.
Park officials shared on Facebook the ship’s history and explained why it has suddenly made an appearance this winter. The Lawrence N. Mackenzie sank on March 21, 1890, while on a journey from Puerto Rico to New York City, carrying a load of oranges. Thankfully, all eight crew members survived the sinking. Built in 1883, the ship was based in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Beach erosion is a common phenomenon at Island Beach State Park during winter months due to natural cycling. Each year, fierce waves and seasonal storms strip sand away from the coastline, leading to narrower and steeper beaches. Although these beaches typically recover during the warmer summer months, this winter’s erosion offers a rare glimpse into the park’s maritime past.
A photo released by the state park shows the shipwreck’s thick, curved wooden ribs interlaced with diagonal metal straps. Some of these wooden ribs even have metal spikes sticking out.
Officials also mentioned that staff are keeping an eye on the area and reminded visitors to “respect historical artifacts” and avoid touching or removing anything, which could lead to penalties from state park police. “Several historic shipwrecks have surfaced at Island Beach State Park over the years,” a representative noted, adding that the Lawrence N. Mackenzie hasn’t been seen for over a decade.
Additionally, past shipwrecks along this coastline highlight its treacherous navigation challenges, earning it the ominous nickname “The Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Just last May, mysterious bones found along the Jersey Shore, originally discovered in the 1990s and 2013, were identified as belonging to a 29-year-old captain named Henry Goodsell. He perished when his ship, the Oriental, sank in the Atlantic while transporting 60 tons of marble.
