Rare Wooden Canoe Found in Florida Remains a Mystery

A “very rare” wooden canoe, discovered after Hurricane Ian, continues to baffle experts three years later.

State officials reported that the canoe was found in Fort Myers, Florida, in the fall of 2022. The Florida Department of Historical Resources (FDHR) announced on September 12 that conservation efforts for the canoe have been completed, yet its origins and age remain unclear.

FDHR noted on Facebook, “The canoe format is very unusual in Florida, and research is still underway to determine its origin. Comparisons with similar vessels in the Caribbean might suggest links to that area.” If verified, this canoe could potentially be classified as a kayuko, a term used in Hispanic countries to differentiate between traditional small dugout canoes intended for river or coastal navigation.

A post on September 12 caught public interest regarding the type of wood used to construct the canoe, prompting further inquiry. A week later, officials from Florida responded to many questions, stating, “Researchers believe this may be the first record of a Florida canoe built in mahogany!” After analysis performed by a reputable wood anatomy expert, the canoe indeed seems to be made from this type of wood.

Interestingly, mahogany typically comes from South Florida or the Caribbean, leaving its exact origins open to interpretation, as this species is native to the Keys and the Everglades.

The FDHR reiterated, “Researchers believe this may be the first record of a Florida canoe built in mahogany!”

Florida, recognized as home to the first permanent European settlement in the U.S., continues to offer archaeological findings that reveal its rich history.

This past summer, a Florida man, while fishing with his grandson, stumbled upon the wreckage of what is suspected to be a 19th-century ship designed for transporting rum. Earlier in the year, authorities also uncovered remnants of a British structure in St. Augustine, shedding light on the city’s 18th-century past.