18th century shipwreck found in US

The remains of a shipwreck that dates to the late 18th or early 19th century has been discovered, a study says.

The 19th century was a time when United States was expanding its trade with the rest of the world by sea. The shipwreck has been discovered by the US marine scientists.

The artefacts on the wreck indicate it might date back to the American Revolution (1775-1783) the study said.

"This is an exciting discovery, and a vivid reminder that even with major advances in our ability to access and explore the ocean, the deep sea holds its secrets close," said expedition leader Cindy Van Dover from Duke University.

The scientists discovered the wreck more than a mile deep off the North Carolina coast on July 12 during a research expedition aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) research ship Atlantis.

Among the artefacts discovered amid the shipwreck's broken remains are an iron chain, a pile of wooden ship timbers, red bricks (possibly from the ship cook's hearth), glass bottles, an unglazed pottery jug, a metal compass, and another navigational instrument that might be an octant or sextant.

The researchers believe that it should be possible to determine a date and country of origin for the wrecked ship by examining the ceramics, bottles and other artefacts.