What Is the Mystery Ship Discovered at the Bottom of the Ocean Near Texas?
Muskets. Beer bottles. An anchor. Oh my.
These are just some of the contents revealed in a recent exploration to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Texas where a team has found what is considered an unknown sunken ship.

(Photo: NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program via National Geographic)

A Venus fly-trap anemone on top of decomposing muskets. (Photo: NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program via National Geographic)

Researchers will use the dish style to try and date the origin and era of the ship. (Photo: NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program via National Geographic)

ROV descending upon the anchor of the ship. (Photo: NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program via National Geographic)
National Geographic reports researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management were first alerted to the potential of something down there while sonar was being used in a 2011 search for oil.
The researchers officially found the 80-foot long vessel during a 56 day expedition in the gulf. It is thought to have sunk as long as 200 years ago.
According to National Geographic, maritime archaeologist Frank Cantelas said they have not yet determined any more historical information about the ship, but, given the presence of muskets and cannons, they think it could have been a privateer. Cantelas says he thinks it could have been involved in the War of 1812 or the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848.
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Comments (115)
SERUM
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:55amWonder if the crew was promised of “Hope and Change”?
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db321
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:05pmI don’t know, but that is my bottle of Brandi in the shot – It fell overboard one night while we were parting in the Gulf – I really would like to have it back!
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lukerw
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:16pm@DB…
Ah, yes… the Servants were bringing Bottles on Silver Plates… when the Ship lurched… and all went overboard…
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cemerius
Posted on June 4, 2012 at 7:36amha ha @ Serum!!
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oldsoldier10
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:50amThat boat was christened, “Hope and Change,” in 2008, and the final resting place is where McO’Bama the first afroirishblackwhitegaynativeAmerican prezzzy is steering the economy of the USSA.
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oneshiner
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 9:09am“No Hope, No Change” is what we’ve gotten and we’re fools to let it continue. Now the new slogan is
FORWARD………..nope, I want to go BACK to the better days when we had a little “change” in our pockets and freedom to choose. We’re losing more than our money, we’re losing America as we’ve known it, waiting for the brown shirts to take over our lives and control us like animals.
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lukerw
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:22pmI always wonder… given how Capitalism works to produce Goods and a defined Quantity of Money existing… when we discover something of Value… is our Money WorthLess?
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Xcori8r
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 8:45pmHas the U.S. Ship of State been on the bottom that long?
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Seneca264
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:41amI think it must be that Disney Cruise ship that went missing in the Bermuda Triangle many years ago.
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rickc34
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:39pmEver notice how much Obama and micky mouse have in common. Both are black and white and have big ears to begin with.
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supressorgrid
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:07amA confederate blockade runner. wooden keel and copper hull cladding give it away.
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Texas Chris
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:34amYup.
Too far west to have been a NoLa runner, though the loot on board would ahve been better. I’m guessing it came out of Galveston?
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BigSky
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:30amThe US economy under Obama.
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kickagrandma
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:50amLOL
the dimocratic party under nancypea and hairyr
the noman’s hopes for reelection without interfering in the process….
We could go on and on. Let’s pray we can.
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Coonrapids
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:50amAdd your comments
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Wolf
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:12amNo comment.
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BobtheMoron
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:36amWhy?
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db321
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:11pmI think Coonrapids is with the Govt – now they are telling us when to Comment – next they will be telling us not to pray – we can only do a “moment of silence” Hey Coonrapids – I’m tired of being Silent – OBAMA MUST GO!
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I SPY
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:40amAnother war Mexico lost…. Pretty much a nut shell of Mexican history: losing.
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Al J Zira
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:27amIt would be nice if there were more photos. The first one looks like a wooden hull with Iron cladding on the bow point. These were built up until the mid 1800′s but by then the super powers of France, Great Britain and the U.S. had stopped making these and moved to iron hulls so they could support the new guns that fired shells. A lot of the ships we and other countries made that were iron clad were sold off the countries like Spain, Portugal, Peru and Chili. Chances are it’s of Spanish origin and not from the French explorer LaSalle or the Pirate Jean Lafitte. Sorry, I get carried away with cool stuff like this.
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Leader1776
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 9:06amDid you try the NG site? They may have more pics.
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Bruce P.
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:23amOff the coast of Texas, up to 200 years old and possibly a privateer?
This may be one of Jean Lafitte’s ships.
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Wolf
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 10:14am‘Zactly my thoughts.
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Texas Chris
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:34amIt’s hot a metal sheathed hull, that’s civil war era.
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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:13amIt is the Botony Bay…………KHAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.,
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EddardinWinter
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:23amHe’s going to leave them as they left her, on a dead ocean floor, alone and buried alive…..buried alive….
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smcdaniel
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:37amIs there anything to eat in this Genesis cave?
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smcdaniel
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:41am“From Hell’s heart, I spit at you!” Do you realize it took me a decade to realize “Wrath of Khan” was just a retelling of Moby Dick? Oh, geepers did I feel like a schmuctard…
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abbygirl1994
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:09amThe comments are unbelievable?? Life is not all about Obama, or whatever.. some people can just get on with life and these people who found this ship did exactly that. I find it very interesting and can’t wait for an update on it! It helps to have some inspirational stories once in awhile.. It keeps me from losing my mind! Thanks Blaze! We gotta have the bitter and the sweet.. and this was sweet. Kudo’s to the adventurers!
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RepubliCorp
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:36amYou are right. This has nothing to do Obama. They think she was a armed privateer & Obama is a big government commie…..oops
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Gonzo
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:46amGive Obama 4 more years Abbygirl and we’ll see just how well you and everyone else “just get on with life”.
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SERUM
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 8:18amAbby…you don’t have to go and bite peoples’ faces off, that’s just not fair. This site is where people with the same views come and show their frustrations. And occasionally a troll shows up and everyone has fun at their expense…it’s all good!
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RamonPreston
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 9:27amEVERYONE should have getting that jerk out of office in the forefront of their minds every second of the day. If not, you can kiss your a$$ goodbye.
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Msgt Ret
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 9:34amRepubliCorp: obama just has not pulled out the guns yet…yet!
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TelepromoterNChief
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:15amIf Obama had a ship, it would look like this one.
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BlackBeaver
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:34amThanks! Not everything in life is centered about Mr. Obama’s hijinks.
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db321
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 4:18pmHey AbbyGirl – maybe Obama can part the Seas, like he claims, so we can all see what the H*ll this thing is!
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Bonnie
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:26pmThank you. I don’t like Obama at all, but I need a break now and then. The future is very scary and finding undersea treasures from the past is amazing to me.
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Ms Archivist
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:52amThat must be the real beginnings of Fast and Furious; Operation Musket Dunk
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supressorgrid
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:09amVoted best comment of the day
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starman70
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 8:17amMaybe Eric Holder’s great-grandfather was in charge of the operation.
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TelepromoterNChief
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:21am@starman70
Like, said grandfather would of been a slave. No word on the Holder mustache legacy though.
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Magyar
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:39pmFor sure….still laughing!
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whatthecrazy
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:36amWith any luck it was full of ???????????????
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Huguenot Descendant
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 1:00amThe first edition of Saul Alinsky book’s “Rules for Radicals” that the previous generations tried to banish to the bottom of the sea.
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PETTYDRAMA
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:29amIts Noah Becks Ark…LOL! The Beckbots savior is going to separate the gulf of mexico and ressurect it to save them when the wrath comes this year! So repent! For thou shall be saved….LOL!
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Metalist
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:39amBetter a BeckBot than Obama’s “useful idiot” any day.
If you don’t like us, stop coming here.
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jzs
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:52amThis could be the boat that Jesus Christ himself took to the United States to deliver the copper/gold alloy plates inscribed with the Book of Mormon which Joseph Smith translated into English.
Honestly I kind of doubt his real name was “Smith” but whatever.
Many will note that the alloy used by God in this instance is far superior to the stone tablets God used in previous eras in terms of durability and resistance to corrosion or breakage. God has never beeen a slouch technology-wise and shame on you for thinking he was. God’s messages are always delivered via the latest technology, such as the appearance of the Virgin Mary on grilled cheese sandwhiches made on a Teflon pan. God has always kept up with the latest advancements when delivering His message to the chosen few, as he did with Joseph Smith.
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SaintzOfAk
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 1:15amPettydrama…why are you even here you maggot. Everyone’s IQ seems to plummet whenever you enter the room. You never have anything useful to say, it seems as though your brain has migrated to your *******.
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Chuck Stein
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 1:53amSorry, Saintzofak, I can’t agree with you. While Pettydrama’s post is intrinsically worthless, it could actually give those with lower IQ’s enhanced self esteem by way of comparison with Pettydrama
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JQCitizen
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:14amJZS:
I know you’re making fun of someone’s religion, (actually, some of everybody’s), and not sure where I am with that, but, I must say, was that ever funny!
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Mesaba67
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:36amYour comments are all negative, off topic and add nothing. There is no point to what you are saying and no facts with reference given. You should be posting some where else MSNBC or Huffington Puffington.
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Anonymouse.
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 9:19amJzs – lolololol!
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BobtheMoron
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:41amWhile not looking forward to the wrath, I am ready. Armed with plenty of ammo and a years worth of food for 6 people. Bring on the wrath, Dufus.
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lonestarbill
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:10amThere’s an ocean near Texas??? Is it December 21st already?
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PETTYDRAMA
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:36amEver heard of the Gulf of Mexico?…DUH!…LOL!
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Dano.50
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 1:17amPettydrama
Sarcasm only works if you’ve got the i.q. to administer it so…
If you want to point out that somebody is geographically challenged…
You might want to bone up on the basics first.
The Gulf of Mexico not being an ocean for starters.
Duh-huh-uh.
“Gulf” is usually hint enough.
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Lazerwolf
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 3:03pmI feel sorry for petty =(
No, not really ^_^
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banjarmon
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:06amI pray BHO never has a ship named after him!!!!
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burnbabylon
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:58amIt will be a solar and wind powered submarine.
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trueamerican40
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:59amIt won’t float long!
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bustedupvet
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 1:01amIt will be a destroyer called the USS $hitcan
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MCDAVE
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 1:13amIt will only cost the tax payers 4 trillion dollars and will transport bull$h!t
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Bill Rowland
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 5:23amNah. it’ll cpst 4 billiondollars and then won’t work.
OMG 2012
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BigSky
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 6:29amThe USS Solyndra.
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Xkiller
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:34pmOMG!!!! Can you see an aricraft carrier like the USS Ronlad Reagan, named after Barry? It would be all black ahve no guns, no planes and no plan on what to do next and can only steam in circles!
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KeystoneState
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:04amU.S.S. Economy? If Obama had a ship it would look like this.
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Zer0
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:18amLmao! Best comment ever!
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War_Vet
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:27amHahaha !!!
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Gizzy
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 1:16amFunny!!!
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RamonPreston
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 9:31amIf Obama had an economy it would look like this. Sorry, does look like this.
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opaque blinders
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:02amObama’s campaign……..
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trueamerican40
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 12:00amButtered popcorn!
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possom
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:58pmUSS Obamacare?
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VoteRightDammit
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:58pmWas hoping against hope it was the S. S. Obama ….
but
alas ……………
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WAKEUPUSA2012
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:58pmAnother usless story covered by the blaze. Its laughable.
When will the Blaze run a story on Bilderberg 2012? Which is going on right now in Chantilly VA.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/30/bilderberg-2012-technocrats-are-rising
http://www.infowars.com/bilderberg2012/
Neocons and liberals alike can not deny it anymore. The real news from the BLAZE needs to cover this. But I bet they wont. Cause Beck is a sell out
Drudge is covering Bilderberg.
drudgereport.com
http://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/participants2012.html
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CatB
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:52pmPirate ship
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Texas Chris
Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:40amBlockade runner out of Galveston or Beaumont. There are several of these wrecks just offshore of Sabine Pass, where the last battle of the Cival War happened. There are several in Galveston Bay, too, that were exposed after Hurricane Ike.
Wood hull with nailed sheet metal sheathing gives it away. Usually hauling guns and powder, cotton, or food.
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Too_Far_Gone
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:47pmThe USS America ?!
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Too_Far_Gone
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:46pmGilligan strikes again ?!
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