Historical Archaeology

Among the fragments of timber and history uncovered at the World Trade Center site in 2010, archaeologists discovered an unexpected clue to the vessel’s past: a small, worn military button. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, like one of many buttons commonly used on British military uniforms during the 18th century. But this particular button bore the number “52,” linking it to the 52nd Regiment of Foot, a British infantry unit that played a prominent role in the American Revolution.

The 52nd Regiment is known for its involvement in key early battles, including Lexington and Bunker Hill in 1775. Over the next few years, it was deployed to campaigns in New York and Philadelphia, returning to New York in 1778. The presence of this button within the ship’s timbers offers a compelling thread in the broader story of the vessel’s origin and fate. 

Research now suggests that the ship itself was constructed near Philadelphia shortly after 1773. Its design matches the shallow-draft American gunboats built for navigating rivers and harbors during the Revolutionary War. The military nature of the vessel is further supported by the recovery of musket balls, iron canister shot or grape shot, and gun flints from the same site.

Together, these finds suggest a vivid possibility that the ship was originally American, played a role in the war effort, and was later captured by British forces—perhaps even by soldiers of the 52nd Regiment. This single button, no more than an inch in diameter, has become a powerful piece of evidence, demonstrating how even the smallest artifacts can unlock remarkable stories from the past.