Powerful weekend storms on the East Coast brought a piece of history to light, uncovering a 19th-century shipwreck on the shore of Nantucket.
The remains, consisting of wooden beams attached to iron fastenings, are believed to be from the 19th-century schooner Warren Sawyer, a ship that wrecked more than a century ago near Miacomet Beach while bound for Boston from New Orleans. During its journey, it was blown off course by gale force winds and wrecked on Nantucket on Dec. 22, 1884.
Other fragments from the Warren Sawyer were uncovered in the area in December 2022.
“I just think it’s fascinating to be able to see and touch a piece of Nantucket’s maritime history from 1884, and also incredible to think that it is located in a spot on the shore that cars were literally driving over on the beach this summer,” said Jason Graziadei, editor-in-chief of the Nantucket Current, who first reported the findings, in a statement to NPR.
The storm that uncovered the wreckage continues to batter the East Coast
Conditions for the nor’easter storms that uncovered the wreckage are improving, but the coastal flooding, strong winds, rip currents and heavy rain are expected through Monday evening, the National Weather Service reports.
One person was killed and four others, including children, were injured. Additionally, thousands of customers remain without power in New Jersey and New York as of Monday morning, according to poweroutage.us.
Intense flooding prompted evacuations in neighborhoods along the Jersey Shore, and local officials in New Jersey and New York warned high tides Monday could potentially bring more flooding, according to The Associated Press.
Coastal flood advisories are in effect for Monday’s morning tides. Officials from NYC Emergency Management warned residents to stay out of the water and away from downed trees and power lines.
What is a nor’easter storm?
Nor’easter refers to storms common on the East Coast, named because they are typically caused by winds sourcing from the northeast.
Past nor’easter storms have been responsible for billions of dollars worth of damage and disastrous flooding. Nor’easter storms usually bring heavy rain or snow, rough seas, gale force winds and occasional coastal flooding.
Nor’easter storms can occur at any point during the year but are most common between September and April.
