A Devastating Typhoon, A Forgotten Ship And A Discovery Centuries In The Making

Ancient Shipwreck Unearthed By Typhoon

When Typhoon Kalmaegi slammed into central Vietnam on November 7, it arrived with a terrifying mix of force and tragedy.

The deadly storm, one of the strongest to strike the region in years, brought powerful winds and heavy flooding, but also unearthed a surprise that no one expected.

In the midst of its destruction, Kalmaegi exposed the weather-beaten frame of a centuries-old merchant ship long buried beneath the sands of Tan Thanh beach in the coastal town of Hoi An.

A Hidden Past

As Kalmaegi’s 90 mph winds ripped into Vietnam’s coast and walls of waves clawed away at the beach, the sand shifted just enough to uncover the wooden frame of an ancient vessel. The ship, estimated to be about 55 feet long and nearly 16 feet wide, bore the hallmarks of Chinese and Southeast Asian shipbuilding traditions.

Carbon dating later confirmed what early surveys suggested: it was built sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries, when Hoi An was a bustling maritime trading hub on the East Sea, now known as the South China Sea.

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“This shipwreck is heritage, a thing from the past that has transcended time to come to the local people here,” said local resident Tran Phuong Anh, reflecting the community’s deep sense of connection to the discovery. “So we need to learn about it and preserve it.”

This wasn’t the first time the vessel had briefly resurfaced. It was initially discovered in 2023, but rough seas and drifting sands quickly buried it again before experts could excavate or study it.

This time, however, Kalmaegi’s extreme coastal erosion exposed the hull even more clearly, providing a rare, fleeting window for researchers to act.

Experts Race Against The Weather

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Teams warned that without immediate conservation, the relic faced “serious deterioration,” especially with the region’s frequent storms and harsh weather.

Unfortunately, as calmer conditions returned, shifting sands crept back over the hull, burying the ship once again.

Experts say the ship’s ultimate preservation will depend on continued monitoring, emergency stabilizing measures and careful excavation during future low-tide windows or calm-weather periods.

Discovery Among Devastation

Typhoon Kalmaegi was catastrophic for the region, first striking the Philippines, where it left hundreds dead, injured or missing. It then continued on to Vietnam, where it caused additional casualties and widespread damage.

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The reemergence of the ship became a source of pride and purpose for residents in the wake of the storm, both a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the region’s deep maritime roots.

For Tran Phuong Anh and others on Tan Thanh beach, the discovery sparked new excitement about uncovering and protecting the stories hidden within their coastline.

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.