The three-masted ship Francis had set sail from San Francisco, in January 1897, on a voyage around South America to New York City with a cargo that included fine California wine and canned Alaska salmon. In early May, it caught fire off of New Jersey and was run aground just south of Beach Haven. The crew was rescued and the hulk left abandoned.

Normally the wreck of the Francis would be only a footnote in maritime history, but it’s what happened next that keeps the ship’s memory alive and well.

Almost immediately it was noticed that casks of wine and cases of salmon were floating ashore.