Accession Number

1986.008.2002

Creation Date

circa 1620

Description

Eleven bars of iron averaging 186.0--193.0 cm x 2.5 x 1.5 cm. Also has iron retaining bar as well as fragment of another.

Exhibition Label

Case/Object Caption (2023):

A galleon required constant repair. Apart from everyday wear and tears, threats came from storms, running into a hidden rock or reef, sealife burrowing into the wooden hull, or, worst of all, enemy attacks. These could bring down a mast, rip away a rudder, or cause a catastrophic leak.

Repairs required the ability to improvise as well as experience. The cooper made sure that the ship carried a stock of wrought iron bars, ready to be made into such things as tightly fitting hoops to hold sections of the new mast together, replacement hinges to secure the rudder or a gunport in place, new parts for damaged rigging, or even specialized pliers to pull a crew member’s tooth.