Scientists have discovered debris from an unidentified ship wreck about 100 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Researchers believe the ship may have gone under during the American Revolution.

Expedition leader and director of the Duke University Marine Laboratory Cindy Van Dover explained that the find was “exciting.” She added that the discovery was a “vivid reminder that even with major advances in our ability to access and explore the ocean, the deep sea holds its secrets close,” Pioneer News reports.

Dover has led four other deep-sea methane research expeditions, dating back to 2012, to the site nearly a mile down. She said that it was “ironic” that her expedition team had been within “100 meters” of the site and did not know it existed.

A statement by Duke University revealed that the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) robotic autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry and the manned submersible Alvin found the site, according to The Register. And the site was discovered by accident.

Archaeologist and chief of Marine Heritage Program Bruce Terrell said that the site was “undisturbed and well preserved” due to the almost-freezing temperatures along the ocean floor. Objects such as a metal compass, an iron chain, a pottery jug, wooden ship timbers and glass bottles were found among the wreckage.

The team was looking for a mooring deployed on a former 2012 research mission in the area. Dover said that the ship wreck illustrates the rewards of working in the ocean, but the mooring was never found.

James Delgado, director of the Marine Heritage Program, stated that the wreck sits along the Gulf Stream. Sailors have been using this current for hundreds of years between North American ports, the Gulf of Mexico, South America and the Caribbean.

Delgado said that the finding was “not unexpected.” He added that “violent storms sent vessels off the Carolina coast, but few have been located.”