In the latest installment of a spooky pattern of events, Hurricane Isaac uncovered a boat believed to be a Civil War blockade runner on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Ala.

Photos of the ship were posted to Facebook by Meyer Vacation Rentals. Gulf Shores is about an hour’s drive from Mobile, Ala., to the west and Pensacola, Fla., to the east.

The ship was partially uncovered during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and in 2008 Hurricane Ike uncovered more of the boat.

When Hurricane Isaac swept through the Gulf Coast, making landfall to the west in Louisiana, the 9-12 foot storm surge pushed away more of the sand around the boat. When the water receded, it revealed most of the boat’s hull.

On its Facebook page, Meyer Vacation Rentals noted the uncanny pattern of events.

“Hmmm … 2004, 2008, 2012. All hurricanes with names beginning with I. All within a couple of weeks on the calendar,” the note read. “While we hope it’s the end of the pattern, we must admit it sure is interesting to see it appear!”

“That’s kind of spooky,” Meyer Vacation Rentals spokeswoman Sarah Kuzma told The Daily Caller with a laugh.

Some historians theorize that it was a blockade runner called the Monticello, although others say it could be the Rachel, built in 1919. Others say it is the Aurora, a rum-runner during Prohibition. Each theory has its downsides, so the ship’s identity remains a mystery, al.com reports.

On April 19, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the Union blockade, which aimed to cut off Southern trade routes with European nations that were eager to buy Southern cotton.

“For this purpose a competent force will be posted so as to prevent entrance and exit of vessels from the ports aforesaid,” Lincoln proclaimed.

“If, therefore, with a view to violate such blockade, a vessel shall approach, or shall attempt to leave either of the said ports, she will be duly warned by the Commander of one of the blockading vessels, who will endorse on her register the fact and date of such warning, and if the same vessel shall again attempt to enter or leave the blockaded port, she will be captured and sent to the nearest convenient port,” he continued.

Blockade runners, possibly like the one found in Gulf Shores, were sleek, high-speed, low-cargo ships that tried to evade detainment by Union vessels and transport what few goods they could to interested buyers.

A close-up shot of the boat:

Kuzma said that the waters have mostly receded, although swimming is still not allowed. But she said that she is expecting a fair-weather Labor Day weekend, and that occupancy has actually risen despite the storm.

“It just makes me wonder what else is under my feet when I’m on the beach, because only these storms uncover this.

Follow Paul on Twitter