Warwick in the Context of 17th Century Sail

Summary

This paper examines rigging elements from the 1619 Warwick shipwreck in the broader context of 17th century sailing technology. Warwick's crew would have committed the majority of their efforts to maintaining the ship's rig and interacting with her sails. Although only a small assemblage of rigging elements survived the wrecking process, they provide important clues to how the ship's rig was designed and operated. Warwick's assemblage of rigging elements contains several varieties of three-hole deadeyes and blocks, as well as enigmatic six-hole deadeyes. Numerous intact chainplates were recovered from the wreck. Those attached to Warwick's well-preserved starboard side provide critical secondary evidence for mast locations. The assemblage can be best understood in the context of contemporary treatises, and when compared to other Northern European shipwrecks from the 16th and 17th century, such as Mary Rose and Vasa.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Guns, Provisions, and the Governor: The Wreck of the Warwick, Bermuda 1619   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2013

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 674