A thrilling chapter of maritime history has been reawakened with the recent discovery of the French steamship Le Lyonnais, which sank off the coast of Massachusetts 168 years ago after colliding with the American sailing vessel Adriatic. This tragedy unfolded on November 2, 1856, claiming the lives of 114 out of 132 passengers and crew members. Most of those who perished were never truly accounted for, leaving behind unanswered questions for the families and historians alike. Dive teams from Atlantic Wreck Salvage (AWS) announced this groundbreaking find, deepening the connection to an incident long considered forgotten.
Le Lyonnais was built by Laird & Sons, premier shipbuilders of the time, and was part of six vessels commissioned to operate under Compagnie Franco-Américaine for transatlantic passenger and mail service. The ship was crafted using cutting-edge technologies of the day, including an iron hull and screw propeller, marking its significance as one of the early steam-powered passenger liners. After one year of service, the steamship was returning to Le Havre, France from New York when it met its tragic fate.
Initial reports indicate the ship encountered heavy fog off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts. It was this poor visibility, coupled with the brashness of the Adriatic, which led to the collision. While Adriatic sustained minor damage and continued on its route, the impact left Le Lyonnais with catastrophic injuries. Efforts were made by the crew to defend the ship’s integrity; passengers threw cargo overboard to lighten the load, and mattresses were used to patch the gaping hole. But all attempts proved futile as the ship sank days later. A frantic search was carried out, but only one lifeboat was found six days after the collision, carrying 12 survivors.
The rediscovery of Le Lyonnais is not just about the ship but the stories intertwined with its history. For Jennifer Sellitti, who leads the AWS team and has spent eight years researching both the ship and its sinking, the find brings with it relief and joy. "Finding her felt like closure—like a way to help those who died so long ago to finally rest in peace," she expressed. Sellitti confirmed the identification of the wreck through various key features discovered and measured during their dives, including the unique engine cylinder, which coincided with historical documentation.
After their initial side-scanning sonar searches conducted over years, the team ventured to the wreck site approximately 200 miles from New Bedford, Massachusetts. They triangulated their search based on historical documents, survivor accounts, and previously assumed ship locations based on speculation during the time of the incident. Notably, historical narratives often misled searches, pointing them toward the Nantucket Shoals rather than the actual site at Georges Bank.
The team dived at the site over two separate days, managing to collect artifacts from the wreck, including portholes and pieces of hull plating. One of the most significant discoveries was the deadeye—a wooden block used to secure sails—that indicated Le Lyonnais was rigged for both sail and steam, reflecting the transitional period of naval technology during the mid-19th century.
This discovery has invigorated not only maritime historians but also those interested in contributing to undersea exploration. The collision of Le Lyonnais and Adriatic has previously captured attention, even inspiring fictional nods from literary giants like Jules Verne in his novel "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Yet, its tragic tale faded from public consciousness rather abruptly, as events like the outbreak of the American Civil War overshadowed earlier maritime tragedies.
Sellitti has dedicated her findings and insights from the past eight years to her upcoming book titled "The Adriatic Affair: A Maritime Hit-and-Run Off the Coast of Nantucket," set to be published on February 28, 2025. The book aims to shed light on the wreck and to honor those who tragically lost their lives during the incident. The final chapter will include recent developments from the discovery, providing readers with the complete picture of this maritime mystery.
With the identification of Le Lyonnais, the newfound eagerness to learn about the ship’s passengers and crew will also be equally important. The historical significance of this ship not only lies within its technical achievements but also within the lives it carried across the ocean under the duress of tragic circumstances.
For those involved with the Atlantic Wreck Salvage, the tale doesn't end with the ship's discovery. Plans are set for additional expeditions to analyze and catalog the wreck, ensuring its preservation and honoring those who lost their lives. Through this renewed effort, the memory of Le Lyonnais can live on, rekindling the stories of those who perished at sea and continuing the pursuit of maritime knowledge.
