The archaeological site is renowned for the discovery of a large 18th-century merchant ship, dubbed the Ronson. This site, like the nearby Telco Block, consisted of 18th-century landfill with similar wharves and bulkheads. The ship, remarkably well-preserved due to its burial below the water table, was believed to have been used as cribbing for landfill by merchants who owned the water lot.
The ship's remains were intact from the upper deck to the keel, and it was determined to be between 72-125 feet in length. A 20-foot section of the bow was removed for conservation and study, while the rest was documented and discarded. The ship is now believed to be the Princess Carolina.
This excavation was notable for being the first in New York City to be opened to the public, attracting over 10,000 visitors and promoting the value of urban and public archaeology.
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