ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (352today.com) – Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews discovered a nearly intact shipwreck during recent work on State Road A1A near the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine.
FDOT archeologists and other experts who’ve examined the sunken ship believe the vessel dates to the mid-to-late 1800s.
“We believe the vessel may have sunk unexpectedly and, over time, was silted in. That is why it was preserved so well – it was encapsulated in soil and mud, so there was no air contact for it to decay. It’s truly an incredible find,” said FDOT District 2 Secretary Greg Evans.
Due to the historic nature of the area, FDOT contracted with SEARCH, Inc. (SEARCH), an expert team in terrestrial and maritime archaeology. SEARCH led the excavation and recovery.
“We believe the vessel to be a small single-masted, shallow-draft sailing craft of the 19th century that was likely used to extract fish and shellfish from coastal waterways and directly offshore,” said James Delgado, Senior Vice President at SEARCH.
“With every project we undertake, the Florida Department of Transportation is sensitive to the unique needs of the communities we serve, including the potential presence of historical sites and artifacts within construction sites,” said Evans. “We are grateful to our partners at SEARCH for their careful efforts to preserve this vessel, and we look forward to learning more about its significance to the region.”
FDOT says they will work with the local community to preserve the vessel for years to come.