143-Year-Old Shipwreck Emerges on a New Jersey Beach

Coastal erosion along a beach is not an unusual occurrence, especially over the winter. Wind and waves pummel the coastline, and—in the case of a beach in New Jersey—a historic treasure emerged from the sands.

Namely, a part of a 143-year-old wooden sea vessel. Last week, Island Beach State Park posted photographs on social media that appear to feature timber remains studded with thick nails between the water and erosion line farther up the beach.

“A nearly 136-year-old shipwreck has been uncovered at Island Beach State Park following weeks of beach erosion caused by rough surf and persistent wind and wave action,†the park wrote in the same Facebook post, identifying it as the wreck of the Lawrence N. McKenzie, a 98-foot (29-meter) schooner constructed in 1883. A schooner is a type of sailing ship with at least two masts.

Traveling north

While its homeport was Provincetown, Massachusetts, at the time of the wreck, the Lawrence N. McKenzie was voyaging to New York City from Puerto Rico. Thankfully, the entire eight-person crew survived, but I can’t help wondering how much of their cargo—oranges!—they managed to stuff in their pockets.

“Beach erosion during the winter months is common at Island Beach State Park and is part of a natural, cyclical process. Each year, high-energy waves and seasonal storms remove sand from the shoreline, resulting in narrower beaches and steeper profiles,†Beach State Park explained. “Most beaches recover from the erosion during the calmer summer months—but for now, this winter’s erosion has revealed a glimpse into the park’s maritime history.â€

For now, the shipwreck remains are still visible on the New Jersey beach. Staff members are keeping an eye on the area, according to the park.

“Visitors are reminded to respect historic artifacts and cultural resources within New Jersey’s state parks,†it highlighted. “Touching or removing any part of these resources is prohibited. Violations are subject to summonses issued by the New Jersey State Park Police.â€

A better-known shipwreck

The discovery comes in the wake of two studies associated with a much (much) more famous shipwreck from 1915—the Endurance, with Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton at the helm. In this case, every member of Shackleton’s crew also survived, though I’m willing to bet their experience of getting trapped in pack ice was more harrowing than that of Lawrence N. McKenzie’s crew. Antarctica’s Weddell Sea ultimately swallowed Endurance, which researchers discovered in 2022.