Divers discover 1856 shipwreck off Massachusetts coast

A team of researchers and divers from New Jersey recently made a remarkable discovery off the coast of Massachusetts: the shipwreck of the steamship Le Lyonnais, which sank in 1856. The vessel had a brief operational history, having been built in 1855 and only sailing for one year before its tragic end during a collision with another ship, the Adriatic. This incident occurred on November 2, 1856, during its return voyage to Le Havre, France. Jennifer Sellitti, a member of the Atlantic Wreck Salvage team, expressed her emotional response to the find, noting the significance of uncovering a ship that had been lost for 168 years. She emphasized the importance of telling the stories of those who sailed aboard Le Lyonnais, suggesting that the discovery provides a sense of closure for the victims of the shipwreck. The North Atlantic's harsh conditions pose significant challenges to locating and preserving shipwrecks, making this find even more extraordinary. Sellitti had long believed that the wreck still existed, despite doubts about whether her team would be able to locate it. Concerns included the possibility of the wreck being buried under shifting sands or being located in deep waters beyond the Continental Shelf. The discovery not only highlights the historical significance of the ship but also reflects the transition from sail to steam in maritime history during the 1850s. In addition to the discovery, Sellitti is set to release a book titled "The Adriatic Affair: A Maritime Hit-and-Run Off the Coast of Nantucket" in February, which will delve deeper into the story of Le Lyonnais and its tragic fate, further connecting the past to the present.