Nor'easter washes 1884 schooner Warren Sawyer fragments onto Nantucket shore
A powerful nor'easter stripped away sand on Nantucket's south shore, exposing wooden timbers likely belonging to the 1884 schooner Warren Sawyer. The discovery adds to previous finds from 2022 and 2023, though experts note the artifacts are vulnerable to rapid decay.
Key points
- A nor'easter battered the East Coast over the weekend, uncovering a new fragment of a shipwreck on Nantucket, Massachusetts.
- Historians believe the wooden piece is from the three-masted schooner Warren Sawyer, built in 1869 and wrecked on December 22, 1884.
- The Warren Sawyer was traveling from New Orleans to Boston, carrying 1,115 bales of cotton and 28 tons of scrap iron.
- Jason Graziadei, editor-in-chief of the Nantucket Current, spotted the remnants on Saturday and posted video footage.
- Previous fragments of the same ship were found in December 2022 and February 2023, about half a mile west of the latest discovery.
- Experts warn the exposed artifacts are highly vulnerable to rapid decay and may be buried again by shifting tides.
Background
Nantucket is known as a historical 'graveyard of the Atlantic,' with over 700 shipwrecks in the surrounding waters during the 19th century. The Warren Sawyer wrecked in 1884, and all crew members survived. The island's shifting tides and storms frequently expose or bury maritime artifacts.
How outlets are covering it
The Washington Post and The New York Times emphasize the historical significance of the discovery, noting the Warren Sawyer's cargo and the 1884 wreck details. NBC News highlights the local discovery by Jason Graziadei and the ongoing debate about the artifact's origin, with some experts calling for more investigation. All sources agree on the likely identification but note the vulnerability of the exposed remains.
Why it matters
The discovery offers a rare glimpse into 19th-century maritime history and the dangers of coastal shipping. It also highlights the ongoing impact of severe weather on uncovering historical artifacts, raising questions about preservation and the fragility of such finds.
What to watch
Experts will likely monitor the exposed artifacts for decay and potential re-burial. Further investigation may be conducted to confirm the origin of the latest fragment, though previous finds have already been identified as likely from the Warren Sawyer.
- Nor’easter uncovers shipwreck remnant on Nantucket The Washington Post
- See it: Powerful nor’easter unearths 19th-century shipwreck on New England shore FOX Weather
- Shipwreck uncovered on Nantucket shore amid nor'easter storms ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
- Nor’easter unearths fragments of 19th century shipwreck on Nantucket NBC News
- Likely Piece of 1884 Shipwreck Washes Ashore in Nantucket During Nor’easter The New York Times
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