Sunken Treasure At The Shipwreck Museum
While staring at this ghoulish mummy, Sarah Meyers asked me, “Do you believe in Mermaids?” “Er...Well I didn't until I saw this! Is it real?” “Yes, it's real, but it's not a mermaid,” she replied. She went on to explain that the mermaid was made from a real fish tail and the head and torso of a monkey. Asian fishermen made and sold them to sailors for souvenirs. The sailors used them when they returned home to prove to people that they had really seen mermaids during their voyages. P.T. Barnum collected 1,000 “mermaids” and Sarah says there are only 30 left of his collection, one of which is displayed at the Shipwreck Museum in Fenwick Island, Delaware.
I could have pulled up a chair and listened to Sarah all day! The museum contains about 10,000 artifacts, which represents only 10% of the collection that owner Dale Clifton has amassed in the past 30 years. The other 80% is on loan to other museums around the world, including Spain, England and Ireland, as well as seven locations in the United States. Every weapon, coin, pottery or piece of jewelry has a story to tell.
The story Sarah told about the wreck of the Faithful Stewart in 1785, near the Indian River Inlet, Delaware had me ready to plunk down some cash for a metal detector right then and there! The ship was carrying 400 barrels of coins when it ran aground. Each barrel contained 200,000 to 300,000 coins and now thousands of coins have been found along the beach, ( now called Coin Beach) from the Faithful Stewart.
If you would like to do something entertaining and educational, be sure to stop and see Dale Clifton's amazing collection. When you're finished, browse through Sea Shell City on the first floor. They also have quite a collection of souvenirs, toys, jewelry, shells and yes...even metal detectors...
The Shipwreck Museum is located just minutes north of Ocean City at 708 Ocean Highway on the second floor of Sea Shell City in Fenwick Island.
June, July & August the museum is open daily.
September through May open Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 3:30 pm
