Research Archives

Shipwreck Identification Project

Following many storms in Virginia Beach we continue to discover pieces of wooden shipwrecked vessels which are uncovered by the storm. Beach walkers from False Cape to the Lesner Bridge report these findings to the museum. If you find a piece, call us at 757-422-1587.

Pieces of 19th century shipwrecks continue to be found on the shores in Virginia Beach today. In early September 2006, Greg Wojcikewych, a former Museum docent, was walking the beach inside Fort Story when he came upon a piece of a wooden shipwreck. It was right after tropical depression Ernesto hit coastal Virginia. Greg described the piece as about the size of a large dining room table. It was located about 30 yards from the water line inside the fence line south of the concrete flyway to the beach. It appeared to be a section of exterior hull planking with a large number of wooden fasteners (treenails)

Museum Executive Director Fielding Lewis Tyler
and former Museum Docent Greg Wojcikewych
with the shipwreck portion.

attached. Greg found a separate small piece and brought it to the Museum for identification. In late September Greg and his wife Norah returned to the location and the larger piece had been washed back out to sea. Although not a diagnostic piece, it is highly probable that it is a portion of the hull of a cargo schooner from the second half of the 19th century. This section of Cape Henry was the site of a large number of shipwrecks during that period. The Old Coast Guard Station has documented some twelve shipwreck sites at Fort Story and Cape Henry since the project was initiated in the summer of 1992.

In end November 2006 a strong Northeaster struck the coast of Virginia and North Carolina. A beach walker discovered a shipwreck timber on 52nd Street at the North End of Virginia Beach. The Museum Team identified it as a first futtock floor timber ( rib) eight feet in length with copper fasteners and wood treenails. From the timber size it appears to be from a mid size cargo schooner from the late 19th Century. Three more smaller timbers were also found along the beachfront and brought to the Museum grounds. We are always amazed that after nearly 130 years or so that shipwreck timbers come to the surface.

Photographic Image Archives

The Old Coast Guard Station holds approximately 1800 photographic images in the museum archives. The museum's extensive collection of originals and copies of photographic prints covers Princess Anne County / Virginia Beach history, United States Life-Saving / Coast Guard history, personnel and stations in Virginia, sailing vessels and shipwrecks on the Virginia coast. These images are available to researchers by appointment with the Administrator during museum business hours. The scanned images will be available for viewing on the museum's web site in the future.

Research Library

The Old Coast Guard Station holds approximately 650 volumes in the museum library. These volumes encompass nautical and maritime history, United States Life-Saving Service, United States Coast Guard and Princess Anne County / Virginia Beach history, and shipwrecks along the Virginia coast. The library is open to researchers by appointment with the Administrator during museum business hours.

How to Access Library and Archives

Researchers may contact the Director or Administrator for an appointment during normal museum hours: Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 5 PM. The archives and library are normally not available on weekends.

Local Life-Saving/Coast Guard History

The museum has and continues to compile individual stories of the men and their families who served at the Life-Saving / Coast Guard Stations along the coast of Virginia Beach We welcome your inquiries or stories concerning the surfmen and their families who served.
The museum has also compiled short histories of the following stations in Virginia and North Carolina: Smith Island, Cobbs Island, Cape Henry, Virginia Beach, Dam Neck Mills, Little Island, False Cape, and Wash Woods. Contact the Director with your inquiries or information.

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