Draught Number

Draught Number Physical Object


Accession Number
1986.008.1218a
Creation Date
circa 1700
Materials
Description
Two pieces. "VIII" and "I" (see also 1986.008.1218b). The "I" recovered separately from the "VIII".

Dimensions

15 cm H x 31.5 cm W , Item (Overall)

0 kg Weight

Exhibition Label
The draught of a ship is the depth of the vessel below the waterline, measured vertically to the lowest part of the hull (i.e. from the surface of the water to the bottom-most face of the keel). The measurement denotes the least amount of water required for a ship to float. This marker is a Roman numeral eight, indicating that its bottom edge was set on either the stem or sternpost eight feet above the lowest part of the ship. It is made of flat, 3 millimeter thick, chisel-cut lead, and numerous nail-holes indicate how it was attached to the hull. This marker is one of two recovered from the wreck of the London-based slaver, sunk near Key West, Florida in 1700.