The Wreck of the Sparrowhawk: Cape Cod’s Oldest Shipwreck
Cape Cod is no stranger to shipwrecks. With over 3,000 recorded maritime disasters, the Cape has long been known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." But among all the wrecks that have found their final resting place along our shores, one stands out as the oldest recorded shipwreck in New England—the ill-fated voyage of the Sparrowhawk in 1626.
A Voyage to the New World Gone Wrong
The Sparrowhawk set sail from London in June of 1626, carrying two ambitious Englishmen, John Fells and John Sisbey, along with a crew of Irish farmers and a Scottish captain named Johnston. Their goal? To make their fortune growing tobacco in the Jamestown colony.
The journey across the Atlantic was anything but smooth. The small, 45-foot pinnace was tossed about for six grueling weeks. By the time they neared the coast of Massachusetts, the crew was exhausted, their provisions of fresh water and beer had run out, and Captain Johnston was sick and lame with scurvy.
One fateful night, as the ship approached Cape Cod, it struck a sandbar off what we now call Pleasant Bay. The Sparrowhawk was hopelessly grounded. Fortunately, all aboard survived, and with the help of the local Nauset tribe, they made it to shore.
Plymouth Comes to the Rescue
Word of the stranded voyagers reached Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims, still struggling to establish themselves in the New World, nonetheless sent a rescue party to Orleans, traveling via Namskaket Creek and Arey’s Pond to reach the site of the wreck.
Determined to continue their journey, Fells and Sisbey attempted to repair the Sparrowhawk, but nature had other plans. Another fierce storm struck, destroying the ship beyond repair. With no other options, the crew was taken back to Plymouth, where they remained for nearly a year before finding passage to Jamestown.
The Ship Lost to Time
After the storm, the Sparrowhawk disappeared beneath the ever-shifting sands of Nauset Beach. For more than 200 years, it remained hidden—just another piece of Cape Cod’s storied past, waiting to be uncovered.
Then, in May 1863, after a powerful storm swept through the area, Orleans residents Solomon Linnell and Alfred Rogers made a remarkable discovery. Buried beneath the beach, the skeletal remains of an ancient ship had been revealed. Recognizing its historical significance, the men and other locals carefully salvaged the ship’s timbers and planks.
A Shipwreck on Display
The Sparrowhawk quickly became a sensation. In 1865, its remains were transported to Boston, where they were reassembled and displayed on Boston Common. The ship’s unusual design—a small pinnace believed to be similar to those used by early English settlers—sparked interest among maritime historians.
For more than a century, the Sparrowhawk was exhibited at the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth, then later at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum in Hyannis. Today, it remains in storage at Pilgrim Hall, where maritime archaeologists continue to study its structure, using modern techniques to confirm its origins.
The Legacy of the Sparrowhawk
The Sparrowhawk is more than just a shipwreck—it is a tangible link to Cape Cod’s earliest recorded history. It tells the story of European settlers, indigenous peoples, and the unpredictable forces of nature that have shaped life on this peninsula for centuries.
Standing on the shores of Pleasant Bay today, it’s hard to imagine the struggle of those aboard the Sparrowhawk nearly 400 years ago. Yet, their journey—one of hope, hardship, and resilience—is a story that remains woven into the fabric of Cape Cod’s history.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a local Cape Codder, or a visitor walking these very beaches, take a moment to appreciate the Sparrowhawk and the many stories hidden beneath our sands. After all, Cape Cod’s past isn’t just in the history books—it’s all around us, waiting to be uncovered.