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So You Found an Old Ship's Timbers on the Beach...
By Victor Mastone, CZM
SHIPS, the Shoreline Heritage Identification Partnerships Strategy, was created to document the historical environment along the Bay State’s shoreline to ensure that historical and archaeological properties are not lost through neglect, or inadvertently destroyed. The program is a collaborative effort of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) with local historical societies and museums, such as the Newburyport Maritime Society.
The remains of the schooner Ada K. Damon on Crane Beach in Ipswich. If you ever come across boat remains, even if it's been your life-long dream to dig them up, please don't! Contact the professionals. (See contact info below.)
It is estimated that more than 3,000 vessels have wrecked off the Massachusetts coast over the past four centuries. If they get buried in sediments, remains of these vessels can be very well preserved. However, natural movements and man-made alterations to the sea floor can uncover and disturb these sites, causing ancient timbers and other artifacts to then be washed ashore.
Why are they important?
Timbers and other materials found on the beach can be important because they can:
- Help uncover the location of shipwrecks offshore.
- Give clues as to the type of vessels that were operating off the coast, and help identify areas that were particularly dangerous to sailors.
- Provide information about the construction of older vessels.
Why should I report any timber or other remains I find?
Archaeological remains are often fragile and can be damaged by seemingly harmless activities. Wood, for example, at first sight seems firm and solid. However, timber is often waterlogged, and the water actually provides much of the wood’s strength. As soon as the wood starts to dry, it can split and begin to disintegrate. Once the process has started, it cannot be reversed, so it is important to document the find as soon as possible after its discovery.
What should I do if I think I have found a ship’s timber or other archaeological objects?
If possible, leave the object where it is. Only move it if it seems likely to be washed away by the tide. If it is partially buried, do not attempt to dig it up. Please report your find to either the BUAR or a partner organization (see below). You will be asked for a brief description of the object, its location, and your contact information so that you can be kept informed.
What will happen to the timber or other archaeological objects?
The object will be examined by Coast Watcher volunteers and/or the staff of the BUAR. The information will be placed in the inventory database where it will be available for future research. If you believe you found an old ship’s timbers or other archaeological remains, please report your find to either a partner organization or directly to the BUAR.
CONTACTS
Victor Mastone
Director, Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, CZM
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114-2136
T: 617-626-1141 F: 617-626-1240E-mail: victor.mastone@state.ma.us
Caroleann McPherson
Curator, Newburyport Maritime Society
25 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950
T: 978-462-8681F: 978-462-8740E-mail: cmcpherson@themaritimesociety.org
Photograph by Victor Mastone
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Boston, MA 02114