19th Century Schooner Washes Ashore

A coastal storm on Cape Cod at the end of January unearthed a 19th century schooner and the remains washed up onto Newcomb Hollow Beach on Cape Cod. Stray boards often float in and out with the tide, but this is the whole backbone and ribs of an old wreck, with a few planks of hull still attached with wooden pegs. According to a National Seashore historian, this latest hulk is the largest and most intact wreck to come ashore in a decade. There were more than 3,500 shipwrecks in Cape waters between 1850 and 1980. Pieces often appear on shore, but not often of this magnitude.

The National Park Service, which has jurisdiction over the schoooner because it landed on the Cape Cod National Seahore, has examined, photographed, and mapped the wreckage. The debris will now be left to the whims of the tide and will probably either be buried by sand or get washed out again.

In the meantime, Newcombe Hollow has become a living museum. This beach which is usually desserted in the winter, was as busy as it usually is in summer. The parking lot was full and the curious were teaming around the wreck which resembled a beached whale. If you need a reason to come to the Cape why not come to view this unique exhibition. As they say "here today, gone tomorrow." It's next destination is where the tide will bring it.

Voula (Information gathered from Boston Globe and Cape Cod Times.)