Nantucket Shipwreck Uncovered by Nor’easter as 1884 Wreckage Reappears
Nor’easter Reveals Historic Shipwreck
A powerful nor’easter has uncovered the remains of a historic shipwreck on Nantucket, Massachusetts, revealing wooden timbers that had been hidden beneath the island’s shifting sand.
The wreckage appeared on the south shore during the storm on Saturday, September 26, after strong winds and waves caused significant coastal erosion.
The discovery was made at Point of Breakers, near the town’s sewer beds. Wooden beams were seen sticking out of the sand in the shape of part of a ship’s hull.
The discovery quickly attracted attention because similar wreckage appeared in the same area several years ago.
Wreckage Likely From Warren Sawyer
Local and state maritime researchers believe the newly exposed remains are likely connected to the Warren Sawyer, a three-masted wooden schooner that wrecked near Nantucket in 1884.
David Robinson, director and chief archaeologist for the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, said the location and appearance of the newly exposed remains strongly resemble wreckage examined in 2022.
Robinson told the Nantucket Current that the logical conclusion was that the newly visible material was the same wreckage previously identified as the partially preserved remains of the Warren Sawyer.
However, experts have also noted that further investigation may be needed before every newly exposed section can be definitively identified.
How the Warren Sawyer Was Lost
The Warren Sawyer was a wooden cargo schooner travelling from New Orleans to Boston when it was caught in severe weather.
The vessel was carrying 1,115 bales of cotton and about 28 tons of scrap iron when it was blown off course by gale-force winds.
It ran aground near Miacomet Beach at around 11 p.m. on December 22, 1884.
Despite the dangerous conditions, the captain and seven crew members survived. Nantucket lifesavers reached the vessel and helped bring everyone safely ashore.
The damaged schooner eventually broke apart, while island residents recovered some of its cargo and equipment.
Similar Discovery Happened in 2022
The latest discovery is not the first time the Warren Sawyer has emerged from beneath Nantucket’s sand.
Sections of suspected wreckage were uncovered in the same area in December 2022 and early 2023.
Researchers then examined historical records, photographs and archaeological evidence to determine whether the remains belonged to the Warren Sawyer.
Their findings concluded that the wreckage was most likely from the 1884 schooner.
The latest storm appears to have removed another layer of sand, exposing additional material or sections of the same wreck.
Storm Erosion Exposes the Past
Nantucket’s coastline is constantly changing because of waves, tides and storms.
Powerful storms can remove large amounts of sand from beaches within a short period. That process can expose objects that have remained buried for decades or even centuries.
The latest nor’easter created exactly those conditions.
The newly visible shipwreck offers residents and researchers a temporary opportunity to see part of a vessel that disappeared more than 140 years ago.
However, the wreck may not remain visible for long. Shifting sand could cover it again after the storm.
Nantucket’s Maritime History
Nantucket has a long and dangerous maritime history.
The island sits in an area that historically saw heavy shipping traffic, but its surrounding waters were also known for difficult conditions.
More than 700 shipwrecks occurred around Nantucket during the 19th century, according to the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum.
The discovery of the Warren Sawyer remains provides another physical link to that history.
For researchers, the position and construction of the wreckage can provide useful information about the vessel and the circumstances surrounding its loss.
Visitors Urged to Leave Wreckage Alone
The exposed remains have attracted interest from residents and visitors who want to see and photograph the historic discovery.
Experts, however, stress the importance of leaving archaeological material in place.
Moving pieces of a shipwreck can damage valuable information about how the vessel was built and how it was destroyed.
As the nor’easter moves away and coastal conditions change, the Nantucket shipwreck may once again disappear beneath the sand.
For now, the exposed timbers offer a remarkable glimpse of the Warren Sawyer and a dramatic reminder of Nantucket’s long maritime past.
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