Possible Pirate Ship La Fortuna Among Four Historic Shipwrecks Found off North Carolina

One of four recently discovered shipwrecks near Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson may be the 18th-century Spanish privateer that exploded in 1748 — but coastal erosion threatens these rare finds.

Maritime archaeologists from East Carolina University’s Program in Maritime Studies have uncovered four historic shipwrecks off the coast of North Carolina, including what may be the infamous 1748 Spanish privateer La Fortuna.

The discovery, made during ECU’s summer field school at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, offers a rare glimpse into the state’s colonial maritime history — but researchers warn that ongoing shoreline erosion could soon destroy these submerged treasures.

A Pirate Ship Lost In Battle

Dr. Jason Raupp, assistant professor in ECU’s Department of History and director of the field project, says one wreck stands out for its historical significance.