Child with Metal Detector Uncovers Historic Shipwreck in Ontario

During a vacation at Point Farms Provincial Park, near Goderich, Ontario, Canada, a boy named Lucas Atchison discovered an unusual metallic object in the sand using a metal detector. The find turned out to be part of a ship's structure: a metal spike embedded in a fragment of old wood.

After this, archaeologists began excavations, which revealed that the wreckage belonged to a two-masted wooden schooner. The vessel was distinguished by a reinforced construction with double frames, indicating its strength and its purpose for cargo transportation.

According to researchers, this may be the schooner St. Anthony, which sank in Lake Huron in 1856 while transporting a cargo of wheat from Chicago to Buffalo. The wreckage was discovered in an area that corresponds to contemporary reports of the presumed location of the wreck. However, the final identification of the vessel has not yet been confirmed.

To preserve the structure, specialists plan to return it underground in an oxygen-free environment. This will help prevent the wood from decaying and preserve the find for at least 50 years. Lucas Atchison's discovery highlights how modern technology and curiosity can lead to important historical finds and contributes to the preservation of the region's cultural heritage.

Sources

  • Diario de Avisos

  • The Independent

  • Popular Mechanics

  • The Globe and Mail

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