Storm Babet could have finally solved 200-year-old sea mystery
Storm Babet battered large swathes of the UK last week, leaving areas flooded in its wake.
But the tumultuous weather could have also solved an ancient mystery by spewing up a huge wooden structure onto Marske beach.
Dog walkers in the Yorkshire seaside town were left stunned on Saturday (21 October) when they came across the unique structure on the beach.
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Understandably, passers-by were intrigued by the planks held together by chunky wooden pegs.
As is the case with most things in the UK, speculation began on local social media as residents debated what it could be.
Many believe it's part of the Whitby whaling boat The Esk, which was grounded just off the coast of Marske back on September 6, 1826.
However, no authorities have yet confirmed the identity of the wreck.
Heritage Gateway, which has compiled Historic England Research Records and reports from the time, describes how The Esk was stranded after being swept onto the rocks during a violent storm.
The boat was reportedly returning to Whitby from Greenland at the time of its destruction.
According to reports, only three of the crew members on board were saved.
Despite the best efforts of lifeboat teams, 24 people perished in the tragedy.
One local who shared snaps of the wreckage to Facebook said that 'living by the sea certainly brings surprises'.
Another person, who was also speculating it could be The Esk, said: "[The] shaped ribs [are] closely spaced and doubled-up. Also, two planks formed/narrower and thicker than the rest. The bottom of the hull close to the centreline? All wood construction, no sign of metal."
This washup follows a period of stormy weather after Storm Babet raged its way across Teesside bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain.
Pictures taken from the Teesside coastline on Friday show the huge waves battering the pier at the Headland in Hartlepool and other locations in the North East and Yorkshire.
It wouldn't be the first time the remains of a boat washed up in the Redcar and Cleveland region either.
Back in 2018, the remains of two boats appeared on Redcar beach - but the council did not know how old it was or who it belonged to at the time.
As is the case with this current wreckage, many locals believed that those boats could be The Esk.
LADbible has reached out to Redcar and Cleveland Council for comment.
Ben Thompson