The province’s chief archaeologist says initial examination of a ship wreck which suddenly showed up on the beach at Cape Ray shows that the ship likely dates to the 1800s.
The massive wooden structure, was presumably buried in sand and preserved, before being exposed by strong wave action, likely as a result of Hurricane Fiona.
Archaeologist Jamie Brake says samples of the wood, and fasteners were recovered for analysis, along with measurements taken.
(Jamie Brake File Photo)
Brake says the vessel, or what is left of it, is massive, but getting exact measurements proved challenging.
“It was under more water than we had hoped” says Brake, “but there have been some measurements done so far, so it looks like what we’re looking at is about 100 feet of surviving keel still attached to a good chunk of hull.” He says knees found on the beach were approximately 3 metres in height, “so those would have been inside a big vessel for sure.”
The wreck, which was temporarily exposed on the beach, is now underwater where it is being pounded by surf, and is already starting to break up due to wave action.
(Submitted photo)
Brake can’t say if they’ll be able to give the vessel a positive id given the number of vessels that have wrecked in the area, but it’s possible. At this stage though, the vessel is not believed to be of particular historic significance.
Brake says preservation of the wreck is unlikely, but they’re leaving it up to the people of the region, who already have a keen interest in its history, to see if getting it out of the water is possible.
“There’s two options” says Brake “one is to let nature take its course and to see it dashed there by waves, or for local people…to pull it up and do what they would like to with it.” He says area residents have been in contact with the archaeological team and Brake says they intend to be stewards of the wreck.
