Photos: (Bottom left) Joe Mazraani fanning sand away to reveal a deadeye (Photo by Andrew Donn); (Center) Colorized Illustrated Times of London drawing Le Lyonnais sinking, December 27, 1856 (Sellitti’s collection); (Bottom right) Engine cylinder that was key to identifying the wreckage (Photo by Andrew Donn).
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Point Pleasant Beach NJ, in a groundbreaking discovery, the wreckage of the 1856 transatlantic passenger steamship Le Lyonnais has been found by a team of explorers. Le Lyonnais tragically sank on November 2, 1856, after colliding with the American sailing vessel Adriatic off the coast of Nantucket. Of the 132 passengers and crew aboard, 114 perished in the disaster, making it one of the most significant maritime tragedies of its time.
The discovery was made by a crew from the vessel D/V Tenacious, who first identified potential wreck sites in September 2023 using side-scan sonar. They returned in August 2024 to dive the site, confirming the wreck as Le Lyonnais. The ship lies approximately 200 miles from New Bedford, MA, on the eastern edges of Georges Bank.
This sunken steamship is referenced in Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, further adding to its historic significance. Built in 1855 by Laird & Sons of Birkenhead, England, Le Lyonnais was one of six ships commissioned by the Compagnie Franco-Américaine to serve the growing demand for transatlantic passenger and mail service. The ship was a technological marvel of its time, featuring both sails and a horizontal steam engine. With its iron hull and screw propeller, Le Lyonnais was a cutting-edge vessel symbolizing the transition from sail to steam in the mid-19th century.
The Discovery Team
The team responsible for this incredible find includes Andrew Donn, Kurt Mintell, Joe Mazraani, Tom Packer, Tim Whitehead, Eric Takakjian, and Jennifer Sellitti. They are pictured holding portholes recovered from the wreck. The search was also supported by Francois Merle, Rick Simon, and Joe St. Amand, who participated in earlier expeditions.
Jennifer Sellitti, a member of the discovery team, has written a detailed account of the incident in her upcoming book, The Adriatic Affair: A Maritime Hit-and-Run Off the Coast of Nantucket (Schiffer Publishing, $34.99, on sale February 28, 2025). Her book delves into the events surrounding the sinking of Le Lyonnais, the survivors’ harrowing experiences, and the lasting impact of the disaster. It also includes an epilogue on the 2024 discovery of the shipwreck, featuring underwater and topside photographs from the expedition.
This monumental discovery not only sheds light on a long-forgotten chapter of maritime history but also honors the legacy of those who perished in the tragic collision. With the wreck of Le Lyonnais now found, this piece of history has finally resurfaced, over a century and a half later.
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