• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Workers unearth 19th-century shipwreck in St. Augustine, Florida

by Dario Radley
October 30, 2023

Construction workers with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in St. Augustine, Florida, recently uncovered the remarkably well-preserved remains of a wooden fishing boat dating back to the mid to late 1800s. The vessel, believed to be a small single-masted, shallow-draft sailing craft, was found buried eight feet underground near the Bridge of Lions in downtown St. Augustine.

Workers unearth 19th-century shipwreck in St. Augustine, Florida
Construction crews recovered the remarkably well-preserved remains of a wooden fishing boat dating back to the mid to late 1800s. Credit: Florida Department of Transportation, District Two

The FDOT was well-prepared for such a discovery, having enlisted the services of the archaeology firm Southeastern Archaeological Research (SEARCH) due to similar occurrences in previous projects.

James Delgado, the senior vice president at the archaeology firm Southeastern Archaeological Research (SEARCH), led the excavation and described the find as “truly incredible.” The boat’s excellent preservation resulted from sinking unexpectedly and becoming silted in, preventing decay by limiting air contact.

The vessel’s excavation, conducted over a meticulous five-day period, revealed its lower hull, estimated to have measured between 24 and 28 feet long in its prime. Alongside the boat, artifacts such as 19th-century coins, leather shoes, the base of a kerosene lamp, and two coconut shells likely used as drinking cups were discovered. Greg Evans, the Florida Department of Transportation District Two secretary, emphasized the importance of preserving historical sites during construction projects, expressing gratitude to SEARCH for their meticulous efforts.

The discovery holds historical significance, providing insights into the lives of everyday people in the 1800s. Delgado reflected on the broader context, stating, “It was more than just the vessel itself. It was this reminder of everyday people. What it speaks to is the reality of life for so many people, then as well as now. You get up, you go to work, and you make a living to put food on the table. You work hard.”

RelatedStories

Six centuries-old shipwrecks unearthed in Sweden reveal secrets of medieval maritime history

Six centuries-old shipwrecks unearthed in Sweden reveal secrets of medieval maritime history

May 16, 2025
Centuries-old ‘pirate’ shipwrecks in Costa Rica identified as 1710 Danish slave ships

Centuries-old ‘pirate’ shipwrecks in Costa Rica identified as 1710 Danish slave ships

May 8, 2025

St. Augustine, known as the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States, founded in 1565, boasts a rich historical legacy. The city’s archaeological significance prompted FDOT to engage SEARCH, a maritime archaeology program, for any potential discoveries during construction. Sam Turner, a principal investigator and maritime archaeologist for SEARCH, was on-site when the shipwreck’s wood was first exposed, initiating the excavation process.

The ship’s remains, measuring 19 feet in length, shed light on its original size of around 28 feet. The vessel, believed to be a small single-masted, shallow-draft sailing craft, was likely used for extracting fish and shellfish from coastal waterways and offshore areas. The discovery included various artifacts that suggest the boat was still in use when it sank unexpectedly.

The FDOT’s commitment to preserving historical sites was underscored by Greg Evans, who highlighted the encapsulation of the ship in soil and mud, preventing air contact and contributing to its exceptional preservation. The cooperation between construction crews, archaeologists, and community stakeholders was crucial in transitioning the site from an archaeological dig back to a construction zone.

SEARCH, known for having the nation’s largest maritime archaeology team, played a pivotal role in the excavation. James Delgado, the senior vice president, and exploration sector leader for SEARCH’s station in Washington, DC, detailed the careful process of exposing the fragile wood using water, gentle troweling, and gloved hands. The next steps involve stabilizing the vessel before determining its future preservation efforts.

Credit: Daniel Fiore/SEARCH, Inc./Florida Department of TransportationIan Pawn, the FDOT District 2 cultural resources manager, emphasized the need for quick action in preserving the well-preserved wood, acknowledging that wood drying will begin the decaying process.”As the ship, potentially abandoned near the end of its working life, awaits relocation to a permanent home.


Stay updated with us! Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and Linkedin, and join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for the latest in archaeology, all directly on your favorite platforms!
ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Ancient gold ring from Second Temple period unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David
Archaeology

Ancient gold ring from Second Temple period unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David

May 21, 2025
Ancient Hellenistic sculpture workshop with unfinished statues unearthed at Floga site on Paros island, Greece
Archaeology

Ancient Hellenistic sculpture workshop with unfinished statues unearthed at Floga site on Paros island, Greece

May 20, 2025
Chachapoya funerary structure and offerings unearthed in northern Kuélap, Peru
Archaeology

Chachapoya funerary structure and offerings unearthed in northern Kuélap, Peru

May 18, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea
Anthropology

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history
Archaeology

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Medieval man with crippled knee reveals disability care in Sweden
Anthropology

Medieval man with crippled knee reveals disability care in Sweden

May 17, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
105K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
Medieval man with crippled knee reveals disability care in Sweden

Medieval man with crippled knee reveals disability care in Sweden

May 17, 2025
Ancient DNA confirms Picuris Pueblo’s ancestral link to Chaco Canyon

Ancient DNA confirms Picuris Pueblo’s ancestral link to Chaco Canyon

May 1, 2025
Pregnancy in the Viking Age: new study reveals hidden power, politics, and social inequality

Pregnancy in the Viking Age: new study reveals hidden power, politics, and social inequality

May 14, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Ancient gold ring from Second Temple period unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David

Ancient gold ring from Second Temple period unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David

May 21, 2025
Ancient Hellenistic sculpture workshop with unfinished statues unearthed at Floga site on Paros island, Greece

Ancient Hellenistic sculpture workshop with unfinished statues unearthed at Floga site on Paros island, Greece

May 20, 2025
Chachapoya funerary structure and offerings unearthed in northern Kuélap, Peru

Chachapoya funerary structure and offerings unearthed in northern Kuélap, Peru

May 18, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Mail Us: info@archaeologymag.com

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.