Shipwrecks!

For us living in the modern age, shipwrecks are a fascinating part of Outer Banks History.
While devastating to the people back then, modern technology has all but solved that problem for us today.

Often called the “Ghost Fleet” the remnants and legends of the ships live on, and I’ll discuss some of their stories now.

The Lighthouses:
By far the most poplar aspect of shipwreck history, the treacherous shoals of the Outer Banks created a need for light houses. These Beacons of Hope were built about every 40 miles or so, and would alert Sailors as to which way to go to be safe. The

Outer Banks Light houses are:

Cape Hatteras

Bodie Island

Corolla

Ocracoke

Cape Lookout (not a true Outer Banks Lighthouse, but it usually is grouped together with ours)
Each lighthouse has its own rich history and you can read more about them here:
http://www.outer-banks.com/lighthouses.asp



Visible shipwrecks
These shipwrecks are usually visible on the various beaches through out the Outer Banks, no diving required:

Altoona (1878):

Laura A. Barnes (1921)

George A. Kohler (1933):

Margaret A. Spencer (?):

LST at Rodanthe (1948)

You can read more about these easy access shipwrecks here:
http://www.outerbankschamber.com/relocation/history/shipwrecks.cfm



Diving
For those who Dive, there is a multitude of shipwrecks hiding just below the surface, usually within 100 yards from the ‘hole’. (The ‘hole’ is that sudden drop off where the waves start to break.) The ships range from very old to quite modern. There’s even a German U-boat out there. (from World War II)

In Ocracoke, Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was said to hang out there, (in the spot known as ‘Teach’s Hole) along with the infamous pirate’s headless body and even more famous treasure. To date, the treasure and the ship have never been found.

At the turn of the 20th century, a ship carrying a shipment of chalk sank off our shores. Often, after a storm, you can find this chalk washed up on shore. It looks like a big white solid lump. When you touch it leaves a chalky residue on your hands. This is solid chalk.

Sometimes, (again, usually after storms,) you can find pieces of shipwrecks on the beach. They usually are rust brown in color, have embedded shells, and other ‘stuff’ on them. They are very hard to describe; but once you see one, they cannot be mistaken for anything else. These are a great find. (Adults should be the ones to touch them however, sometimes shells can be sharp!)

When you find a piece of shipwreck, you are touching the past. Enjoy!