Graveyard of the atlantic6/3/2023 ![]() Found on a seabed near the Beaufort inlet, this specific combination of artifacts and what was known about Blackbeard’s infamous vessel, led to the conclusion that the wreckage was, in fact, that of Queen Anne’s Revenge. That’s right - the sailing terror and home of Blackbeard, or Edward teach, himself! In 1996, researchers discovered a bronze bell dated 1705, two large anchors, a sounding weight, an English blunderbuss barrel, nine cannons, a lead cannon apron, and two cannonballs. This museum holds many artifacts from famous wrecked ships of the OBX coast, including the USS Monitor: a Civil War battleship that sank only 16 miles off the coast of Hatteras! You can even view priceless artifacts from one of the most well-known shipwrecks of the Atlantic, Queen Anne’s Revenge. They even host scavenger hunts that allow guests to search for objects pertaining to the Graveyard hidden throughout the museum and win prizes! The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, to all ages. ![]() However, don’t let the dated artifacts make you think this is an old, rundown museum. This wonderfully well-kept time capsule is filled with artifacts, exhibits, and tours that showcase all the fallen maritime travelers of our historically dangerous waters. If you’re interested in learning more about this treacherous sea cemetery, stop in The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at 59200 Museum Drive in Hatteras, NC. Stick, like most other researchers, attribute the tragic demise of sea vessels here throughout history to piracy, war, and the powerful collision of the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream along shifting shoals from Corolla to Ocracoke. The name “Graveyard of the Atlantic” was first coined by Outer Banks author and historian, David Stick, in his book on the area. Divers continue to find large and small ship remnants from wrecks that occurred from 1650 through 1945. While the actual year ships began to sink is not certain, researchers believe the first vessel to meet its demise in the Outer Banks, NC waters was in 1650. Many Hatteras residents alive during World War II can recount a fateful night when a flaming tanker lit up the night sky before sinking to the bottom of the sea, likely caused by a German U-boat attack. Many were lost due to piracy and others as casualties of war. The Outer Banks have seen hundreds of wrecked ships since colonial settlement due to human activity. ![]() Human activity must also be taken into account. It is believed that the changing Outer Banks shoreline is not the only factor for the many wrecked vessels. As evident by the thousands of shipwrecks, many attempts were futile and fatal. The ever-moving shallow shoals may have caused ships bound for deep water before storms to attempt to pass around or through them. When storms like hurricanes occur, large ships can be carried onto these sandbars. The mainland and the sea are separated by migrating sandbars that are constantly changing. If you view them on a map, you can easily see why hurricane season is a topic of concern every year. The Outer Banks is a collection of barrier islands that stick out into the Atlantic ocean. It is believed that the geography of the Outer Banks coast may have played a large part in why so many ships wrecked here. Mystery Deal Flash Sale! Click "Read More" to Reveal Your Savings Now! Read More
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