Lost World War I Ships Uncovered in Texas River during Drought
The Neches River in Texas has revealed a hidden secret during an exceptional drought. Bill Milner, who grew up on the river, discovered the remains of five substantial ships along the Lower Neches near Beaumont. After documenting and photographing the findings, Milner reported them to the Ice House Museum, who then contacted the state marine archaeologist with the Texas Historical Commission for identification.
The ships were identified as emergency merchant vessels built by the United States during World War I to replace a depleted fleet. These vessels were among more than a dozen abandoned ships after the war. A state archaeology team had previously documented sunken wrecks in the same area during a sonar survey in 2019.
The Neches River, which used to serve as a major transportation link between the Gulf of Mexico and East Texas, is currently running at historically low levels due to the drought. Despite the low water levels, the river is still flowing, but it is significantly lower than usual. To maintain the flow of the river, water must be released from reservoirs located on the Upper Neches.
While the drought brings disadvantages to Texans, it also exposes historic and prehistoric sites along the river. In 2011, when Lake Travis’s water levels receded, the remains of the historic Anderson Mill were visible. Visitors can now explore a replica of the mill built on higher ground by the Anderson Mill Garden Club.
This summer, as the shallow parts of the Neches River became more accessible, people explored areas that are typically submerged. Bill Milner’s discovery of the sunken ships generated significant interest on social media.
The marine archaeologist who examined the findings explained that such wrecks are not uncommon in the Neches River. After the end of World War I, the wooden-hulled ships lost their purpose, and it was challenging to find buyers for them. As a result, many of the vessels were abandoned in the river, their salvage value reduced to just the wood and iron.
In East Texas rivers, nearly 40 World War I ships still remain submerged, making it one of the largest abandonment sites in the United States. The best approach to preserving these vessels is to leave them in place and not disturb them due to the cost and complexity of preserving large, waterlogged wooden ships.
It is essential for the public to respect these historic artifacts and leave them undisturbed. If anyone comes across similar sunken vessels or other historical artifacts, it is advised to contact the local county historical commission for appropriate handling and preservation.
