What was initially believed to be the remains of the Warren Sawyer, a schooner that sank in 1884 and whose wreckage had been documented in recent years, has taken an unexpected turn after archaeologists discovered that the newly exposed timbers along Nantucket’s coast do not match the previously identified wreck. State archaeologists, following an assessment on October 7th, determined that the 50-foot-long section of a large merchant vessel exposed by a powerful nor’easter likely dates to the late 19th or early 20th century, differing from the Warren Sawyer’s known construction and sinking date. Key discrepancies include the size of the wooden ribs, the types of wood used, and iron fastenings that appear to be from a later period than 1884. This revelation has shifted the focus to identifying this new, unknown vessel, with researchers sifting through historical records to pinpoint its identity, though the possibility remains that it could be a schooner barge or another type of merchant vessel. The discovery also highlights the unique nature of the find, as large sections of wreckage are unusual, and underscores the importance of the new shipwreck monitoring program that allows public participation in tracking these historical remnants as they emerge and shift along the coastline, emphasizing the value of preserving these stories from the past.
Adapted from: Travel News Today on Fox News
