Mystery Beneath the Waves: Could North Carolina’s Latest Find Be the Legendary Spanish Privateer Ship ‘La Fortuna’?
Ever wonder what happens when a Spanish privateer’s daring raid goes spectacularly sideways? Well, pull up a chair—because the wreck of La Fortuna off the coast of colonial Brunswick Town, North Carolina, is a tale soaking in intrigue, misfortune, and a spontaneous explosion that turned a bold assault into maritime tragedy in 1748. Imagine stumbling upon wooden planks jutting from river mud during a routine survey—only to uncover a shipwreck believed to be this very vessel, centuries-old and whispering stories through the timbers recovered from the depths. But here’s the kicker: with erosion gnawing away and storms looming, time is running out to save these underwater relics that connect us to a chaotic chapter of history where privateers blurred the line between law and outlaw. Ready to dive into a discovery that’s as serendipitous as it is shrouded in mystery? LEARN MORE
La Fortuna sank off the coast of colonial Brunswick Town, North Carolina, during an attack in September 1748.
ECU Program in Maritime StudiesGraduate student Cory van Hees noticed wooden planks on the floor of the Cape Fear River while mapping a colonial wharf.
Field researchers and students from East Carolina University recently found the wreckage of a ship off the North Carolina coast that appears to be linked to the Spanish privateer La Fortuna. La Fortuna exploded in 1748 after an attack on Brunswick Town turned out unfavorably for the ship’s crew.
So far, over 40 pieces of lumber have been recovered from the wreck. However, experts are warning that any additional excavations need to happen soon, as erosion and other hazards threaten the future conservation of the ship’s remains.
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