FORT MORGAN, Ala. — While some reports have suggested the uncovered boat that was found a few miles east of Fort Morgan was from the Civil War era, new discoveries have buried that belief in the sand.

The wrecked piece of history is believed to be The Rachel, built in 1918, according to Mike Bailey, education and events coordinator for Fort Morgan.

Although the Fort’s commission will not be taking an official role in the ship, Bailey said they have found what they believe to be proof of the ship’s story.

“We are 100 percent true it is not a Civil War ship,” he said. “We are 90 percent sure that it is the Rachel.”

Bailey said that the ship’s construction matches that of plans for a ship built at the John Deangelo and Sons shipyard in Moss Point, Miss.

John Deangelo’s grandson has retained the original building plans and is using them to verify the origin of the ship that sunk in 1933.

As the boat’s past is unknown, so is its future.

State archivist with the Alabama Historical Commission Stacye Hathorn said the state will not be able to preserve the ship that was believed to run rum during the prohibition.

Hurricane Ike’s storm surge not only revealed the ship from its sandy encasement, but it moved it inland, off of state land and on to private property. Hathorn said that the state is working with the owners to properly handle the situation.

She said that the state can not afford to preserve it because it would cost millions — revenue the state does not have.

The iron, brass and stainless steel that the ship consists of will require separate conservation processes in capable facilities which are nowhere in Alabama.

Without the resources to preserve the ship, it has been left exposed to scavengers and thieves. Taking “souvenirs” from the ship is a crime of theft.

Hathorn said in the past years that it has been exposed, this is the first time they have experienced a problem with people removing pieces from the ship.

“This is everybody’s heritage, it belong to all of us,” Hathorn said. “If people keep takings pieces there won’t be anything left to enjoy.”

Planning is underway to cover the ship, which is deteriorating and being ravaged, with sand. Hathorn said that is the best option available for preservation right now. The historical commission is working with Baldwin County Department of Transportation to move sand that covered streets over the ship.

Until then, the marine police are patrolling the site to ensure that spectators are taking only pictures.