Shipwreck
In short
The physical remains of a vessel that has been beached on land or sunk to the bottom of a body of water.
In plain words
When a boat hits something or sinks, the broken parts left behind are called a shipwreck. These remains can stay on the seabed or be washed up on a beach.
A simple example
An old wooden merchant ship hits a reef during a storm and settles on the ocean floor, leaving its hull and cargo behind.
Why it matters
Shipwrecks are vital for historians and archaeologists to study past trade, technology, and maritime disasters. They also create unique artificial reefs that support marine life.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse a shipwreck with a ghost ship, which is a vessel that is adrift but has not yet sunk.