A storm brings back an American ship that crashed more than 100 years ago... What's the story?

2024-01-20 2024-01-20T07:03:35Z

Arabia Weather - In the American state of Maine, as a result of strong storms that caused massive floods, a shipwreck dating back to 1911 was uncovered in Acadia National Park and the sailing ship, which was known as “Tay,” ran aground off the coast of Mount Desert Island in July. From that year, this was the cause of the death of the ship's cook.

The barge leaked during a storm, according to an old article published around the time of the wreck's discovery in the Bar Harbor Record newspaper. The boat's captain, I. W. Scott of St. John's, led attempts to anchor in vain. According to the article, "the mainsail line was disconnected, and Captain Scott attempted to anchor the vessel offshore, but the vessel drifted toward the breakwater."

The article added:

“The boat collided severely, and its parts were scattered from the front and back upon impact, as it quickly collapsed.”

The discovery of a historic shipwreck in Acadia National Park impresses visitors

After a storm on January 10 left a shipwreck on a sandy beach on Mount Desert Island, some visitors to Acadia National Park were able to see much of the ship's impressive hull, and history buffs gathered to catch rare glimpses of this wreck that appeared more than century on the surface of the Earth.

Among the visitors was Bar Harbor resident Molly Moon, who headed to the beach after low tide to take photos of the wreck at sunset.

It appears that Moon is not the only one in her family who witnessed the appearance of the debris, as she said:

“My grandmother saw parts of it discovered in the 1950s, my mother saw the structure discovered in the 1970s, and I was lucky enough to watch it come back from under the sand now in 2024.”

Regarding the condition of the wreck, Ben Sprague, who led his family to view it, noted that it is still in very good condition, despite its disintegration and said in a Facebook post:

“It's quite amazing to think about all the times you've gone to the beach and walked on the sand over a shipwreck without even realizing it.”

Storms reveal details of the historic "Tay" shipwreck

Located mostly on Mount Desert Island, the largest island off the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park was created several years after the shipwreck and, according to a notice posted on the park's website, the park sustained "significant damage" throughout; Due to the storm that occurred on January 10.

An article in the Bar Harbor Record newspaper from 1911 indicates that there were six crew members on the Tay, in addition to the captain and his son. The cook, J.B. Webley, died in the wreck. According to the newspaper, the ship was carrying lumber from St. John's to Boston, and the planks carried were washed ashore.

According to the National Park Service website, the ship's crew took refuge in a local family's home after reaching shore, and the family built a boat house using wood salvaged from the shipwreck to honor the history.

In light of the worsening weather conditions, the shipwreck revealed itself recently, for the first time in decades, according to the Bangor Daily News. It is noteworthy that this century-old wreck is not the only historical site in the state that was affected by the storms. The latter, where floods in South Portland washed away several historic fishing huts.