A shipwreck from the 1800s has been uncovered during construction in Boston’s Seaport District.
The ship, a wooden sloop at least 50 feet long from the mid-to-late 1800s, was uncovered late last week during construction of a new building. It was found about 25 feet below grade. The area where it was found was once called the Dorchester Flats.
The construction company met with city officials to discuss the discovery and several archaeologists are now inspecting the site.
City archaeologist Joe Bagley said it appears the vessel was carrying lime, which was used for masonry and construction. He said there are partial barrels containing lime at the site.
Bagley said this is the first time a shipwreck has been found in this section of the city. He said he isn’t yet sure what caused the shipwreck.
“At this point we’re not quite sure, because it’s definitely in an area that was mud flats at low tide, so the ship may have run aground or crashed here during a storm,” said Bagley.
Bagley theorizes that the crew unloaded most of the valuables and set part of the ship on fire to reduce its weight as it sank in the mud.
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Source: CBS Boston
