StormsCaptains of ships out of Massachusetts waters have been plagued by storms for hundreds of years. Hurricanes with wind speeds of 75 miles per hour or higher stir up coastal waters creating waves in excess of 100 feet tall. For thousands of captains these weather conditions were too much to overcome and lead to the sinking of the ship.
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The Lamartine Shipwreck off the coast of Gloucester
The Lamartine, a two masted schooner, launched in 1848 to haul granite from Maine to New York city was lost at sea after encountering a storm off the coast of Gloucester Massachusetts on 17th May, 1893. The ship was battered with large waves causing its heavy cargo of granite to shift leading to the capsizing of the vessel. One crew member drowned after being thrown from the ship into the North Atlantic waters. The captain and first mate were also thrown overboard, but were rescued by a fishing ship returning to port in Gloucester.
The Lamartine is a great example of a wreck site that archaeologist study to gain a better understanding of life during the 19th century.
This ship provides answers to questions about the granite industry and paints a picture of economic development in the United States. “Lamartine’s cargo of cut granite reveals fascinating details about how granite quarried in New England met the demands of a nation growing increasingly urban,” said Craig MacDonald, superintendent of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. “The shipwreck is a physical link to earlier generations who moved the stone and whose hands chiseled the granite blocks that built our great American cities.” (http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2012/20120517_lamartine.html)
The Lamartine is a great example of a wreck site that archaeologist study to gain a better understanding of life during the 19th century.
This ship provides answers to questions about the granite industry and paints a picture of economic development in the United States. “Lamartine’s cargo of cut granite reveals fascinating details about how granite quarried in New England met the demands of a nation growing increasingly urban,” said Craig MacDonald, superintendent of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. “The shipwreck is a physical link to earlier generations who moved the stone and whose hands chiseled the granite blocks that built our great American cities.” (http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2012/20120517_lamartine.html)
Gallery
Source: http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/maritime/granite.html
From Left to Right: A two Masted Schooner similar to the Lamartine at dock in Stonington ME, Granite pieces of cargo from the ships hold, Example of wreck site becoming part of marine habitat, Granite stone from cargo with carved manhole cover in center.
From Left to Right: A two Masted Schooner similar to the Lamartine at dock in Stonington ME, Granite pieces of cargo from the ships hold, Example of wreck site becoming part of marine habitat, Granite stone from cargo with carved manhole cover in center.