Historic Shipwrecks Unearthed Off North Carolina Coastline
A team of archaeologists from East Carolina University recently made a groundbreaking discovery off the North Carolina coastline, uncovering the remains of four shipwrecks that date back to the 18th century. This significant find has provided valuable insights into the region’s colonial history and its role as an early port town.
The archaeological group, part of the ECU program in maritime studies, conducted their research near the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Brunswick County during May and June. Their efforts involved exploring the shoreline and examining submerged structures. During this time, they collected wood samples from the newly discovered shipwrecks, which suggest that shipbuilders used raw materials sourced from Spanish Caribbean colonies during the 1700s.
Jason Raupp, an assistant professor at ECU in the department of history and maritime studies, led the team. He expressed excitement about the findings, stating that each site will help researchers better understand the historical significance of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson as one of the state’s earliest colonial port towns. “These submerged colonial waterfront features are incredibly well-preserved and present an excellent opportunity for ECU students to engage in hands-on, collaborative research,” he said.
Although further work is needed to confirm the identity of the remains, the university believes that one of the wrecks may be the remnants of La Fortuna, a Spanish privateer from Cuba. This vessel reportedly exploded near the colonial wharves at Brunswick Town during an attack on the port at the end of King George’s War in September 1748. The wreck is located near where an 18th-century cannon, thought to be from La Fortuna, was recovered in 1985.
Cory van Hees, a graduate student in ECU’s maritime studies program, described his initial encounter with the wooden structure. “I came across several wooden frames barely sticking out of the clay mud with evidence of planking just barely visible on the surface,” he said. “I didn’t understand what I was looking at in that moment, but I knew I should relay the wooden structure to faculty.”
Later that day, Raupp confirmed that the structure was indeed a wreck, potentially linked to La Fortuna. Van Hees reflected on the emotional impact of the discovery, saying, “It was kind of overwhelming and a little emotional feeling once it set in.”
Throughout the summer, three additional shipwreck sites were identified at the historic site’s waterfront. Preliminary analysis suggests that one of these sites was likely used for land reclamation at the waterfront, based on its positioning next to a colonial wharf. Another is believed to be a potential colonial flatboat, a watercraft historically used to transport people and goods between the port and nearby plantations. The fourth site was barely exposed, and its remains are still unidentified.
Despite the historical significance of these discoveries, the shipwrecks, waterfront infrastructure, and artifacts are considered at risk due to ongoing erosion along the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson site, according to Dr. Raupp. “The successful recovery of the possible La Fortuna shipwreck and documentation of heritage at risk within a nationally significant historic site demonstrates the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts of the research team,” he said.
Research and analysis into the construction and identity of each of the four shipwrecks continue. These findings offer a unique opportunity to explore the complex maritime history of the region and provide valuable data for future studies. The ongoing work highlights the importance of preserving and studying historical sites, ensuring that their stories are not lost to time.
