Nor'easter Unearths Possible 1884 Shipwreck Remnants on Nantucket Shore
A powerful nor'easter exposed weathered wooden beams on Nantucket’s south shore, likely remnants of the 1884 schooner Warren Sawyer. Experts from the Egan Maritime Institute and state archaeologists are inspecting the site to confirm the identity of the wreckage, which emerged near previous discovery sites of the same vessel.
Key points
- Weathered wooden beams with rusted iron fastenings were discovered on Nantucket’s Point of Breakers beach on September 26, 2026, after a nor'easter eroded the shoreline.
- The wreckage is believed to belong to the Warren Sawyer, a three-masted cargo schooner that ran aground in December 1884 while transporting cotton and scrap iron from New Orleans to Boston.
- The Egan Maritime Institute’s exhibits manager is scheduled to inspect the site on Monday to send a report to the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources for definitive identification.
- Previous sections of the Warren Sawyer were identified in 2022 and 2023, but the current discovery has not yet been confirmed with certainty by officials.
- The storm caused widespread coastal damage, including flooding and power outages for over 100,000 customers, but also revealed historical artifacts buried beneath the sand.
Background
Nantucket is part of the 'graveyards of the Atlantic,' with over 750 estimated wrecks in surrounding waters. The Warren Sawyer wrecked in 1884, and its crew was rescued by life savers. Remains of the ship have emerged intermittently over the decades, including a 42-foot hull section in 2022 and a stern section in 2023. The island has a rich maritime history, with other recent discoveries including a WWI-era fishing boat identified last year.
How outlets are covering it
CBS News and Smithsonian Magazine both report on the discovery but emphasize different aspects. CBS focuses on the logistical response, noting the Egan Maritime Institute’s plan to inspect the site and the broader impact of the nor'easter on the Northeast coastline. Smithsonian highlights the historical context, detailing the 1884 rescue efforts and the cargo details, while also noting the discovery was made by a local resident, David DeHart, who tipped off Jason Graziadei. Both outlets agree the wreckage is likely from the Warren Sawyer but caution that definitive identification is pending.
Why it matters
The discovery underscores the dynamic nature of coastal archaeology, where storms can reveal historical artifacts buried for over a century. It highlights the importance of preserving underwater archaeological resources and the ongoing efforts to document maritime history in regions like Nantucket, which serve as significant sites for understanding past maritime trade and rescue operations.
What to watch
The Egan Maritime Institute’s exhibits and collections manager will inspect the site on Monday and send a report to state underwater archaeologists. The Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources will then work with the institute to definitively identify the wreckage. Visitors are urged not to disturb the site, as Massachusetts law prohibits removing or damaging underwater archaeological resources.
- Possible 1884 shipwreck exposed by nor'easter on Nantucket: "It's still there" CBS News
- See it: Powerful nor’easter unearths 19th-century shipwreck on New England shore FOX Weather
- Believed 1884 shipwreck washes onto shore during nor'easter rain, flooding WGAL
- In 1884, Gale-Force Winds Ran a Ship Aground Near Cape Cod. Now, the Nor’easter Lashing the East Coast May Have Uncovered Part of It Smithsonian Magazine
- Nantucket shipwreck uncovered by Nor'easter NPR
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