Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Commissioner of Wrecks accounts, 1837-1867. APA 271, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Transferred by the Auditor of Public Accounts

Historical Information

During its session begun in May 1782 the General Assembly created the office of commissioner of wrecks. The governor appointed two commissioners for each county bordering the ocean or Chesapeake Bay to assist in saving the crews and cargoes of stranded vessels. Persons who helped save a stranded ship or its cargo were paid by the ship's owner or the merchants whose goods had been saved.

If no one claimed the goods they were advertised in the newspaper and, if still unclaimed, they were sold at public auction. Money raised at the auction was sent to the treasurer who kept an account of it for the owner of the cargo sold. The owner, upon proving his claim to the auditor, was given a warrant to present to the treasurer for payment.

Scope and Content

The accounts contain the names of the vessels or the location where the items washed ashore and the dates. The accounts record the newspaper the items were listed in and if they weren't claimed, the items, their price, and who they were sold to. Records cover the following dates: 1837, 1839, 1851-1854, 1856 and 1867.