YORK (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Police in York are asking people not to touch a shipwreck that was unearthed from a powerful nor'easter but usually lays hidden under the sand at Short Sands Beach.
The shipwreck, which is unearthed every several years during powerful storms, made national headlines and drew crowds to the cold beach for viewing in March.
Broderick Moose was photographing the shipwreck on Tuesday morning, March 6, when he tells NEWS CENTER he saw the people pictured below kicking the wreck and then taking a piece of the timber with them.
According to the Maine Historical Preservation Commission, it’s officially called the Short Sands Shipwreck. It is believed to have been built anywhere from 1750 to 1850 and was most likely used for commerce and trade.
Detective Matt Calcina says although police have not seen anyone vandalizing the wreck they have had several complaints and seen pictures on social media of visitors touching, jumping off, kicking and even taking pieces of it.
"Look around the boat, take pictures and enjoy it but don't touch."
Calcina said police have beefed up patrols to Short Sands Beach and even tried to tape off the area, but he says tides will eventually cover the ship back up.