Student Archaeologists Uncover Lost Spanish Shipwreck in North Carolina Muddy Riverbanks, Tied to a 1748 Colonial Battle

The muddy shallows of the Cape Fear River in southern North Carolina have yielded a remarkable archaeological find: the remains of four previously undocumented shipwrecks, including what may be the long-lost Spanish warship La Fortuna, destroyed during a failed 1748 raid on the British colonial town of Brunswick.

The discovery was made by a team of graduate students and maritime archaeologists from East Carolina University’s Program in Maritime Studies during a field expedition at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, located about 12 miles (19.31 km) south of Wilmington.

The research team, led by Dr. Jason Raupp, unearthed 40 preserved timbers from one wreck, with early analysis strongly suggesting links to La Fortuna, a privateer vessel from Cuba that exploded during a skirmish at the close of King George’s War.

“This site has given us an extraordinary window into the colonial maritime landscape,” Raupp told ECU News Services. “Each of these vessels adds a piece to the puzzle of how Brunswick operated as one of the region’s most active colonial ports.”

Clues in the Timber

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence linking the wreckage to La Fortuna comes from the timber itself. Wood samples were identified as Monterey cypress and Mexican cypress, species native to southern California and Central America—regions under Spanish control in the 18th century. The wood analysis was conducted in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory, a key authority in dendrology and conservation science.

This geographical fingerprint aligns closely with Spanish shipbuilding practices of the period and is consistent with the Caribbean origin of La Fortuna. Historical records describe the ship as a Cuban-based privateer that, along with several other vessels, attacked Brunswick Town in September 1748.

Local militias repelled the attackers, and a subsequent explosion on board La Fortuna killed the captain, officers, and most of the crew. A cannon believed to be from the same ship was recovered by diver Dennison Breece in 1985 just upriver.

The wreck was located in a severely eroded section of marshland, previously covered by protective estuarine sediment. Despite the degraded site, many timbers bore original shipwright tool marks, indicating a surprisingly high level of preservation.

Three More Wrecks and a Ticking Clock

The La Fortuna site was not alone. During the same expedition, the ECU team documented three other wrecks, each adding layers of historical insight into Brunswick’s colonial past. One vessel, positioned adjacent to a wharf, may have been used for land reclamation—effectively built into the shoreline to support the growing port.

Another wreck is thought to be a colonial flatboat, used for transporting goods and passengers between plantations and town. The third remains unidentified, partially submerged and barely distinguishable from the marshland.

These findings come at a critical time. The shoreline of Brunswick Town is retreating rapidly due to dredging, intensified storms, and stronger tidal action. Although the northern section of the site is partially protected by wave attenuators, the southern edge—where the wrecks were found—is vulnerable. Without further intervention, more submerged features may be lost.

“The erosion we’re seeing isn’t just a problem for the ecosystem—it’s wiping away layers of history,” Raupp said. “We’re in a race to document and preserve what we can before it disappears.”

Archaeology Meets Education in a High-Stakes Field Lab

The discovery was largely driven by students during ECU’s summer field school—an immersive program blending academic coursework with hands-on research. Maritime archaeology student Cory van Hees recalled the moment of discovery vividly. Diving in near-zero visibility, he and fellow student Evan Olinger were attempting to map the dimensions of an old wharf when they got disoriented and veered off course.

“I saw these wooden frames barely sticking out of the mud, with planking just visible,” van Hees said in an ECU statement. “At first, I didn’t know what I was looking at—but I knew it was something.”

The find was confirmed later that day. Over 40 timbers were recovered and transported to ECU’s Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Laboratory, where preservation work is now underway. The lab, named after the flagship of Blackbeard the pirate, is one of the premier facilities in the U.S. for maritime artifact conservation.

The site itself is part of a broader national effort to protect submerged cultural resources. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson encompasses both colonial-era ruins and Civil War fortifications. The shipwreck sites are protected under state and federal law, and ECU holds an active archaeological permit to continue exploration and documentation.