Marine ecologists from Duke, North Carolina State University, and the University of Oregon were aboard Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's research ship Atlantis. They found a shipwreck hundreds of miles off the coast of North Carolina on July 12.

Debris has been found from the shipwreck that may be dating back to the 18th century. Cindy Van Dover, the head of the expedition, said that the amazing discovery has unveiled that the deep sea holds many mysteries to be unfolded.

During the investigation, researchers have found an iron chain, a pile of wooden ship boards, glass bottles, bricks and pottery jug, metal compass and navigational instruments.

The researchers said that they were not looking to make such a discovery. In fact, they were studying the ecology near the deep-sea methane leaks up and down the East Coast. During the project, they have found wreck along the path of the Gulf Stream, which is a maritime highway that allowed goods to be moved to ports across the Caribbean and North and South America.

The Carolina coasts are known for witnessing violent storms that can sink ships. Harsh conditions make it difficult to search the depths for shipwrecks. For now, the ship has not been identified. Its discovery news has been given to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Heritage Program.

The researchers said that they have explored the same area a number of times, but had never found this wreck.