Outer planking from a vessel

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

1. Outer planking from a vessel Marker

Inscription. This piece is part of a vessel which wrecked south of the Little Island Life-Saving Station, an area now known as Sandbridge in Virginia Beach. It was uncovered in December 1993 near the shoreline following a winter storm. This portion indicates the vessel was made of oad and fastened with both copper treenails and iron bolts. From fragments found at the wreck site, it is possible that the vessel's hull was covered in copper sheathing. It is estimated that the vessel was about 100-105 feet in length and 500-550 tons displacement. Analysis indicates the wreckage could be part of the barkentine Nettie which sailed from the West Indies to Norfolk with a cargo of salt and wrecked 1.25 miles south of the Little Island Life-Saving Station on January 7, 1894.

Erected by Virginia Beach Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is January 7, 1894.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 51.142′ N, 75° 58.525′ W. Marker was in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was in North Virginia Beach. It was on

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Virginia Beach Boardwalk 0.1 miles south of 24th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2401 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach VA 23451, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Ship's Wheel / Stockless Anchor (here, next to this marker); The Life-Saving Station (a few steps from this marker); The United States Life-Saving Service Stations & Crews (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Coast Guard Virginia Lifeboat Stations

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

2. Outer planking from a vessel Marker

(a few steps from this marker); U-boats Off the Mid-Atlantic Coast (a few steps from this marker); Old Coast Guard Station (a few steps from this marker); Replica Race Point Surfboat (a few steps from this marker); Who's in the neighborhood? (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.