Bree's Blog

Wellfleet's beached schooner a hoax

Eastham tree fort used for January prank
Bobby Roberts admits role in ruse

To the utter amazement of residents Cape-wide, an Eastham man has come forward to confess his part in a hoax perpetrated in late January. The alleged 19-century schooner that washed ashore Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet was actually nothing more than old scraps of wood from a backyard tree fort.

Bobby Robert's Eastham Tree Fort was disassembled to resemble a wrecked, 18th-century schooner fetched up on that Wellfleet Beach in January. cc2day photoBobby Roberts, 26, released a statement to authorities yesterday afternoon. "I was starting to feel really guilty," Roberts said. "And besides, I missed my fort."

As a child, Roberts played on an elaborate tree fort constructed by his great-grandfather Rob Roberts more than seventy years ago. But one night last October, as Bobby sat with childhood friend Josh Bugiardo staring at the latticework of oak planks and timbers, they decided to take the wood in a different direction.

Four months preparation

In his formal statement, Roberts describes the night the hoax was conceived. "We were hangin' out in the fort, smokin' a little [censored], and my buddy was like, 'Dude, let's make a boat.' And I was like, 'To sail in?' And he's all, 'No, man. For the lies to sail in.' And I was like, "Wicked, bro." That's when the whole thing got started."

What followed were four grueling months of preparation. Both men enrolled in basic carpentry classes, bought a handsaw and other tools, and made frequent trips to the library. The Eastham Library records show that Roberts checked out two books: How to Hoax like a Hotshot and 19th Century Shipbuilding for Dummies.

"I should have known they were up to something," said Berta, Roberts's mother. When asked if she meant because her son was constructing a fifty-foot schooner skeleton in her backyard, she shook her head. "It wasn't that. It's when he asked to borrow my library card. Bobby's never been much of a reader."

The Eastham Library records show that Roberts checked out two books: How to Hoax like a Hotshot and 19th Century Shipbuilding for Dummies.Local historians are dumbfounded at how a 26-year-old bartender who works days at Willy's Gym could build an incredibly convincing replica of a wrecked schooner and ultimately pull off a hoax of this magnitude. Roberts himself was quick to acknowledge the challenges he faced.

"It wasn't all easy. Some things were really hard – like finding the wood pegs to hold it all together. They just don't make those things anymore!" Roberts paused for a moment. "Getting it down to the beach was kind of hard, too."

The Cape Cod National Seashore and other interested organizations have not yet pressed charges, but a long and arduous legal battle is expected to ensue. Yet for Cape residents, the tragedy runs deeper than merely bureaucratic.  Something historically rich and mysterious has been reduced to the banal, and people feel cheated. This revelation also calls into question previous discoveries of wreckage that were thought to be significant. Will these prove to be nothing more than hoaxes as well?

When asked if he felt his actions have undermined the rich maritime history of Cape Cod, Roberts vehemently disagreed.

"I'm recreating a legend. I'm making history ..."
    - Bobby Roberts[Expletive] no!" he said heatedly. "I'm recreating a legend. I'm making history, dammit." After a brief moment of reflection, he added, "And it's so boring in the winter. There was nothing else to do."

4C's professor Yadloof inspired Roberts

Five years ago Roberts was enrolled for a semester at Cape Cod Community College, and he credits his initial interest in old ships to his former professor, Russian art historian L. Yadsloof. "Yaddy – that's what we used to call him – always encouraged us to make history, and to make art," Roberts said with a wistful smile. "I don't care what happens to me now: I think I did both."

Professor Lirpa Yadsloof could not be reached for comment. His assistant was quick to apologize, explaining "Today's his busiest day."