A powerful nor’easter that struck the East Coast exposed the remnants of a 19th-century shipwreck on Nantucket’s southern shore. The wooden structure is believed to be part of the schooner Warren Sawyer, which ran aground on the island in 1884, according to local sources and maritime researchers.
- History of the Warren Sawyer Shipwreck
- Storm Erosion and Previous Sightings
- How the Nor’easter Remapped the Coastline
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Nantucket Shipwreck
- What ship is the Nantucket wreckage believed to be?
- When was the shipwreck originally uncovered?
- What cargo was the Warren Sawyer carrying?
- Did everyone survive the 1884 wreck?
- Why does the wreckage keep appearing and disappearing?
The wooden wreckage emerged on Saturday, September 26, near the Point of Breakers and the Sewer Beds. These areas experienced significant coastal erosion during the storm, as reported by the Nantucket Current and other regional outlets. Island resident David DeHart first spotted the exposed timbers and alerted local journalists.
History of the Warren Sawyer Shipwreck
The Warren Sawyer was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1869. On its final voyage, the vessel carried 1,115 bales of cotton and 28 tons of scrap iron from New Orleans to Boston. Gale-force winds blew the ship off course, and it grounded near Miacomet Beach on the night of December 22, 1884, according to the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources.
The Surfside Life-Saving Station responded to the emergency. They successfully rescued Captain Edwin L. Saunders and his seven crew members from the battered schooner, per records from the Nantucket Historical Association. The ship remained on the beach for roughly two weeks as islanders salvaged its cargo and equipment. It finally broke apart during a subsequent storm in January 1885.
Storm Erosion and Previous Sightings
This discovery marks the latest chapter in the ship’s history surfacing above the sand. Portions of the exact same shipwreck emerged along Nantucket’s south shore in December 2022 and early 2023. During those earlier exposures, maritime archaeologists examined the remains and concluded they belonged to a lower bow section of the Warren Sawyer.
David Robinson, director and chief archaeologist for the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, stated that the newly exposed wreckage appears to be part of that same vessel. Jason Graziadei, editor-in-chief of the Nantucket Current, noted the surreal nature of the discovery, pointing out that vehicles had been driving directly over the buried fragment all summer long.
How the Nor’easter Remapped the Coastline
The weekend nor’easter punished Nantucket with strong northeast winds ranging from 45 to 55 mph and gusts exceeding 60 mph across Cape Cod and the islands. Offshore seas climbed to between 15 and 25 feet. The island also experienced roughly 2 feet of storm surge during an overnight high tide.
Because Nantucket is composed of sandy, loose glacial deposits lacking bedrock, it is exceptionally vulnerable to coastal erosion. The combination of intense waves, high water, and sustained winds stripped away sand from the south shore. This process temporarily revealed the century-old maritime artifact before shifting currents bury it once again.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Nantucket Shipwreck
What ship is the Nantucket wreckage believed to be?
The wreckage is believed to be the Warren Sawyer, a three-masted wooden schooner that ran aground on Nantucket’s south shore on December 22, 1884.
When was the shipwreck originally uncovered?
While the ship originally wrecked in 1884 and broke apart in January 1885, modern pieces of the hull re-emerged in December 2022, early 2023, and following a powerful nor’easter in September 2026.
What cargo was the Warren Sawyer carrying?
At the time it was blown off course while traveling from New Orleans to Boston, the schooner carried 1,115 bales of cotton and 28 tons of scrap iron.
Did everyone survive the 1884 wreck?
Yes. The Surfside Life-Saving Station successfully rescued Captain Edwin L. Saunders and all seven members of his crew from the battered vessel.
Why does the wreckage keep appearing and disappearing?
Nantucket’s south shore is susceptible to coastal erosion because the island is made of loose glacial sand. Severe storms strip sand away to expose buried structures, while normal wave action eventually covers them back up.
