Monte Cristi Pipe Wreck, Colonial-era shipwreck in Monte Cristi Bay, Dominican Republic
The Monte Cristi Pipe Wrack is a sunken merchant ship resting on the seafloor off the Dominican Republic since the 1600s. The remains form large calcium-encrusted masses in shallow water near a small offshore island.
The vessel sank during the second half of the 1600s, likely while sailing on a commercial journey. It went down before reaching its intended destination in the Hudson River Valley.
The wreck contains trading goods from different European regions, revealing how merchants moved cargo between continents during this era. The ceramic fragments and stoneware tell the story of economic links connecting colonies with Europe.
The wreck sits in shallow water around 4 meters deep where seagrass grows and visibility can vary. Visitors should know it lies underwater and requires specialized equipment to explore.
Among the remains are about 50 million clay pipe fragments, an unusually large quantity of cargo for a single vessel. This abundance makes it one of the richest sources for understanding pipe trade during this period.
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