A Hidden Ship at South Street

The Seaport Museum in New York City planned to install a sump pump in the basement of 209 Water Street due to persistent flooding. When significant digging began, City College archaeologists were called in to monitor the excavation. The site was known to have been filled between 1755 and 1789. Among the 18th-century artifacts uncovered were gin and wine bottles, clay pipes, shoe leather, British ceramics, and two coins.

The most remarkable find was a ship's frame, initially mistaken for cribbing used to contain landfill. Preserved by water-logged soil, the ship's features were well-preserved, including its treenail construction and tar-and-horsehair-coated hull. The ship was estimated to be 80-100 feet long with a displacement of about 200 tons. Recognized as a significant cultural resource, the Museum decided to rebury the ship in situ, planning for a future formal excavation when resources allowed, deeming it crucial for understanding the Seaport's early history.