Ike uncovers historic ship on Baldwin County beach
Friday, September 19, 2008
By GUY BUSBY, Staff Reporter
FORT MORGAN — A mystery ship uncovered over the decades following storms appears to be a Civil War schooner run aground in 1862 while trying to sneak past the U.S. Navy to enter Mobile Bay, according to one local expert.
The ship reappeared earlier this month after waves created by Hurricane Ike eroded the beach about six miles from Fort Morgan. After examining photographs of the wreck, Shea McLean, marine archaeologist with the Museum of Mobile, said the ship is most likely the Monticello, a two-masted schooner run aground and partially burned on June 26, 1862.
"Based on what we know of ships lost in that area and what I've seen, the Monticello is by far the most likely candidate," McLean said Wednesday. "You can never be 100 percent certain unless you find the bell with 'Monticello' on it, but this definitely fits."
Mobile Press-Register
More Pictures, Video and Information about the Mystery Ship
