At dead low tide on Saturday, just off the shore of Coffins Beach, in an area that has seen significant erosion in recent years, a mystery has revealed itself. The remains of a boat hull approximately 16 to 20 feet in length has emerged from the sand; its ribs, uniformly truncated and buried until now, reach to the surface like hands from a watery grave. From where I stand (I am not appropriately dressed to make a close inspection) I cannot see any trace of the keel, which apparently remains interred. From whence has she voyaged and who knows of her loss? Please help me continue this story.
Good Morning Gloucester 
You have my attention…
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I remember this happening on good harbor beach 50 ~ 55 years ago. As children, we imagined the boat was from a pirate ship and the pirates were hiding in the dunes. Adults probably knew the history ~ we found it to be great place to play. Seems to me the weather was cool as we were not bothered by “beach goers” ~ truly in our own world.
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How fun! Well, not for the boat or the boat owners, but for those of us to get to maybe hear this mystery unravel! I can’t wait to hear if someone knows more about it!
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Have seen this running on the beach but didn’t realize what it was…
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Albert Arnold’s gillnetter “Anna T” broke up on the Anisquam River Bar in 1913. She was built in Essex in 1912. She was a total loss. But, it may not be her as she was documented as a gas/steam vessel 44’Lx 16’W x 4′ D.
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Ada K. Damon 26 December 1909 A Grand Banks schooner that wrecked on Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts. 42°41′28.14″N 70°46′58.14″W
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The pilot house of the Anna T can still be seen as a shed on a dock just south of the three frog rocks on the Annisquam river.
-Len Burgess
https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/phyllis-a-restoration-photos-from-len-burgess/
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In the middle seventies a small fishing sank off the beach during a northeaster with all hands 1970s that is.
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Any chance its the Abbie B. Cramer? Referenced:
http://newspaperarchive.com/us/indiana/delphi/delphi-journal/1888/10-04/page-16
http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/annisquam-light-history.html
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=604
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I also think it’s Abbie Cramer!:)
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This also happened on Long Beach.
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looks like the 1 @ Short Sands York as well,wow thats crazy wish i had known would have loved to have seen that while in Cape Ann over the weekend
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I have been going to Coffins Beach since I was born almost 53 years ago. I have seen this vessel make it’s presence known many times during my life. The shifting sands after storms and such have revealed it from time to time. I know it is at least as old as me. When my cousins and I were kids we called it the Ghost ship because it would appear and then disappear depending on the vagaries of the currents. I would like to know it’s origin and the year of her demise. Perhaps it is older and more historical than anyone realizes. Anyway, I hope this sheds some light on the discovery. I did find a relatively modern screwdriver near her bones years ago, but that may not be connected. Good luck in researching her.
George Mulry II
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I too grew up at Wingaersheek Beach. I believe the remains are from a lobster boat which went down in storm of 1978. I believe there were 6 on board. Only 3 survived. Remains located about center of beach.
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Lot’s of history here Marty sad to lose anyone – to those who gave so much! Dave & Kim
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Looks like a pinky!
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My Wingaersheek/Coffin’s history goes from 1947 to about 1962. We moved over from summers in Rockport to the Waterman Section into my Grandfather built and the house the Crowleys now own. My friends and I knew every inch of that beach, and those ribs in the photo weren’t there while I was. As for finding surprises, we did once uncover a WW II mine!
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It wasn’t long ago when a couple of Gloucester fishermen had dredged up a torpedo and were going at it with gusto using a hammer and chisel. They were stopped before it popped as the Navy demolition team had arrived and found out it still was live. They had a lot of brass but didn’t get any in the end. you would think there would be a greater reward for them.
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The state’s marine architects have researched this, have the exact coordinates and believe it sailed in the Caribbean. The ballast had coral. Contact the office for more information.
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