Graduate students from East Carolina University’s Program in Maritime Studies (ECU) have partnered with the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), to investigate a shipwreck near the village of Rodanthe. Known locally as “Pappy’s Lane Wreck”, the shipwrecked vessel is located in waist-deep water in the Pamlico Sound, and has been considered eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 
After mapping the site and dredging targeted areas during a month-long field school, Dr. Nathan Richards, head of the UNC Coastal Studies Institute Maritime Heritage Program, and nine East Carolina University (ECU) graduate students were able to match the stern and other diagnostic details to two related classes of World War II gunboats, Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) and Landing Craft Support (LCS) vessels. Used in the Pacific Theater, these amphibious gunboats were an essential part of beach landings in the final years of World War II.*
Research into the specific type, name, and individual story of the Pappy’s Lane shipwreck is still ongoing.
The Outer Banks' coast is host to a large number of shipwrecks, many available for exploration by scuba divers and boating enthusiasts. The Pappy's Lane Shipwreck can be seen easily in the waist-deep waters of the Pamlico Sound. To get front row seats to this shipwreck, may we recommend Sun Realty vacation rental property, Banzai Landing, R-214.