Panorama views of Ship Remnants found at WTC Site

On July 13, 2010 while workers were excavating the southern portion of the WTC site, on-site archaeologists uncovered the remnant of an 18th century merchant sailing ship (WTC Ship Remnant). Following the discovery, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation has worked with a range of parties to develop an Emergency Mitigation Plan to preserve the WTC Ship Remnant. Consistent with our Programmatic Agreement for the World Trade Center Memorial and Redevelopment Plan, LMDC consulted with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as well as the official group of Consulting Parties identified consistent with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The WTC Ship Remnant consists of the bow of the lower hull and measures approximately 32-feet long by 15-feet wide and 4-feet high. Archaeologists protected the artifact from the elements while LMDC engaged the Consulting Parties and finalized an Emergency Mitigation Plan. Consistent with the Emergency Mitigation Plan, LMDC consultants at AKRF and the University of Maine worked to document, excavate, disassemble, and preserve the remnant, which was transported to the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory on August 2, 2010.

On-site work under the Emergency Mitigation Plan has been completed and included the following tasks:

• Protection, including shielding the Ship Remnant from the elements and keeping it wet so the primarily wood elements did not dry out.
• Recording and excavating the different ship layers, including the ceiling, frames, and outer planking that make up the hull. This also included soil sampling and water screening of the soils.
• Disassembly of the Ship Remnant.
• Wrapping and packaging of the individual elements, including evaluation by on-site conservators and controlled temporary storage in containers at the site.

You may view the Emergency Mitigation Plan by clicking here.

To view the Programmatic Agreement, please click here.

View the WTC Ship Remant Photo Gallery

View 3D Laser Scans of the WTC Ship Remnant