NEWFOUNDLAND, CA – A shipwreck, thought to be from the 19th century, has emerged from the icy shores of Newfoundland, Canada. Archaeologists have been painstakingly working to uncover the secrets of this maritime relic, which measures approximately 30 meters (100 feet) in length, before the tides reclaim it.
Over the past weekend, the team meticulously documented the ship’s remains, capturing detailed photographs and video, taking precise measurements, and collecting wood core samples. Their aim is to determine the origin of the wreckage. “The species and age of the wood, as well as the composition of the metal, could provide us with clues about its age and origin,” said archaeologist Jamie Brake during a recent press conference.
However, the shipwreck’s location along the Atlantic coastline of Canada is less than ideal, as it is continuously battered by the ocean. “The site is precarious,” Brake noted. “The relentless pounding by the sea makes it challenging to extract more information.”
The wreckage was initially discovered in late January on the coast of J. T. Cheeseman Provincial Park, an area notorious for its shallow rocks that have historically served as a graveyard for shipwrecks. According to the Archaeology Office of Newfoundland, the rocky coastline could potentially hide “thousands of shipwrecks.”
Some speculate that Hurricane Fiona, which struck the Atlantic coastline of Canada in September 2022, might have dislodged the ship from its underwater resting place. To help preserve and transport the vessel, the local community has initiated a GoFundMe campaign.
“This wreck has captured the imagination of people worldwide and has brought global attention to our small community of about 300 residents,” the GoFundMe page reads. “We believe this shipwreck drifted into Cape Ray for a reason, and we want to help tell its story.”