AH-WR-1869

George W. Wells

Six-Masted Schooner · United States · Lost September 1913 · The Outer Banks

The world's first six-masted schooner, driven ashore on Ocracoke in a 1913 hurricane with everyone saved.

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Historically Reconstructed. Drawn from partial documentation of this vessel together with her known class and configuration. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

George W. Wells, launched in 1900, was the first six-masted schooner built. In September 1913 a hurricane drove her ashore on Ocracoke Island. The Hatteras Inlet lifesavers rescued everyone aboard by breeches buoy. The ship was a total loss.

Vessel

Built: 1900
Builder: Not established
Yard: Not established
Material: Wood
Length: Not established
Beam: Not established
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Sail
Owners: Not established

Loss

Date: September 1913
Cause: Storm
Location: Ocracoke Island
Water: Atlantic Ocean
Voyage: Not established
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: 0
Master: Not established

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Not established
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: Not established
Accuracy: Position not established
Nearest: Ocracoke, North Carolina
Region: The Outer Banks

Precise wreck position not taken into this record.

Evidence

Overall confidence: Documented (76/100)

The precise wreck position, depth and present condition are not established in this record.

National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Vessel identity, stranding and rescue account.
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, Hatteras
Loss narrative and rescue context.