Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Ship Unearthed in New York City-- Part 3

Continuing with the story about the remains of a ship discovered at the site of the World Trade Center.

The pit where the ship was discovered is on a sixteen acre site where the new 1776 foot World Trade Center is going to be built. A marine historian believes that the ship may have sailed in the Caribbean, based on the 18th century organisms that had bored into the timber.

A 100 pound anchor was found a few yards from the hull. When the city was extending its shore line, derelict ships were often used to provide fill.

The ship had been weighted down and sunk into the bottom of the river as support for new city piers.

Another such ship was found in 1982 in Water Street.

The remains will be removed, but the wood is so delicate they are not sure how much of it will remain. It is deteriorating fast now that it is exposed to the air.

Archaeologists are measuring and photographing the ship's remains, but it is not clear how long the ship actually was.

Now, This is My Kind of Story. --Cooter

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