ECU archaeologists discover multiple shipwrecks at Historic Brunswick Town Site

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A team of archaeologists from East Carolina University has uncovered multiple shipwrecks and colonial waterfront features at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site (BFTA), with one of the discoveries potentially linked to the 18th-century Spanish privateer La Fortuna, ECU announced in a recent news release.

The discoveries were made during the university’s summer field school as part of its Program in Maritime Studies. Researchers believe the remains of La Fortuna may have been found near where the ship exploded during an attack on the colonial port in September 1748, at the end of King George’s War.

“We are extremely excited about these important sites, as each one will help us to better understand the role of BTFA as one of the state’s earliest colonial port towns,” said Dr. Jason Raupp, assistant professor in ECU’s Department of History, who led the team.

In May and June, ECU archaeologists documented four newly discovered shipwrecks along the BTFA shoreline. The research team found that wood from one wreck likely originated from Central America or Southern California, supporting the theory that it may be of Spanish Caribbean origin. The wreck lies near the spot where a cannon believed to be from La Fortuna was found in 1985.

Maritime studies graduate student Cory van Hees was part of the discovery team.

“My dive buddy, Evan Olinger, and I were taking width measurements of Wharf Four to help delineate the site. The visibility is consistently pretty low in the Cape Fear River. Evan attempted to find the Northern extent of the wharf but had become disoriented due to the conditions. We switched roles, and the same happened to me on my attempt,” van Hees said. “While lost, in the search for the Northern extent of the wharf, I came across several wooden frames barely sticking out of the clay mud with evidence of planking just barely visible on the surface. I didn’t understand what I was looking at in that moment, but I knew I should relay the wooden structure to faculty. Later that day, Dr. Jason Raupp was able to confirm this was a wreck, which may be La Fortuna. It was kind of overwhelming and a little emotional feeling once it set in.”

Three other shipwrecks were also uncovered. One may have been used for land reclamation, another could be a colonial flatboat- a watercraft historically used to transport people and goods between the port and nearby plantations, and the fourth remains largely unidentified. The team also found wharves, a historic causeway, and artifacts tied to colonial life and trade.

Raupp said erosion from storms, dredging and waves threatens these sites. Many remains were recently exposed after protective marshland eroded. This summer, the team conducted emergency recovery of more than 40 ship timbers believed to be from La Fortuna. The well-preserved wood has been moved to the NC Office of State Archaeology’s Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab at ECU for storage and conservation.

“The successful recovery of the possible La Fortuna shipwreck and documentation of heritage at risk within a nationally significant historic site demonstrates the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts of the research team,” said Raupp.

The field school was made possible with support from the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Office of State Archaeology, Queen Anne’s Revenge Lab, Friends of BTFA, and the U.S. Forest Service.

The site and its artifacts are protected by law. ECU holds a state permit to conduct fieldwork at BTFA.