The Powhattan or Powhatan was an American ship that is best remembered as one of the New Jersey shipwrecks with the greatest loss of life.
About the first of March 1854, the Powhattan sailed from the port of Le Havre, France, destined for New York City.
[4] The ship remained afloat until the following day, April 16, 1854, whereupon it broke apart resulting in the deaths of the entire crew and passengers.
At the time of the accident, the ship was commanded by Captain James Meyers (or Myers) of Baltimore.
The cemetery now includes "The Unknown from the Sea" monument erected by the State of New Jersey in 1904 honoring all the victims of the Powhattan shipwreck.