Anchor Chain experts - need help

[ScubaDude]

What time period would a link of chain that is composed of multiple wraps of single strand wire forming each link of chain translate to Sorry, I don't have any pictures but I think the above statement should explain.

Thanks,
Brad

 

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[paddy.mick]

Great book: Anchors by Betty Nelson Curryer
May help, but still a good book if not.
Good luck
Pat

 

[rmptr]

OK, I'll bite...

It will last long enough for you to replace it with something suitable for the value you place upon the boat.

R M P T R

 

[ScubaDude]

OK, I'll bite...

It will last long enough for you to replace it with something suitable for the value you place upon the boat.

R M P T R

No, we're talking shipwreck artifact, not today's ground tackle.

 

[rmptr]

Oh, sry...

Do you mean like a damascus gunbarrel? but a chain made in that fashion?

 

[ScubaDude]

Correct. Just a crude winding of wire forming each chain link. My guess is early 1800's but I was hoping someone might have encountered it.

 

[FISHEYE]

brad,

Do the links appear to be wire wrapped?Look all rusted together with steel wire?Most likely its not strands of wire but in fact solid iron but when rusted and alot that has flaked off has high ridges that look like it was wire wrapped.my 1600's dead eye looks like this after i bead blasted it.

 

[stevemc]

Brad I think they started using regular chain for anchors about 1800. I dont know about wire chain. I have seen iron artifacts that had the look like fisheye said.

 

[Darren in NC]

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,90116.msg645373.html#msg645373

Reply #4

 

[pcolaboy]

brad,

Do the links appear to be wire wrapped?Look all rusted together with steel wire?Most likely its not strands of wire but in fact solid iron but when rusted and alot that has flaked off has high ridges that look like it was wire wrapped.my 1600's dead eye looks like this after i bead blasted it.

Brad....I was thinking along FISHEYE's line as well. Do you have a photo of the item? I've noticed that alot of VERY old iron spikes that weren't worthy of preserving take on this "stranding" type of consistency once you've removed the concretions.

Pcola

 

[ScubaDude]

Okay, a little new info. The chain I'm referencing was about 60 ish feet in length, so it wasn't a random piece of rigging that could have been mistaken. A section of it was given to the Smithsonian. Sorry I don't have more info or pictures. I guess this material would date to the period when mariners switched from rope to chain, does anyone know what time period that might relate to, and what its origins are?

 

[mad4wrecks]

Brad, this info might help:

The year 1808 is the most notable date in chain making history, for in that year an Englishman Robert Flinn of Bell St. North Shields became the first man to make improved iron anchor chains which won wide recognition as an outstanding success.
Justly known as "The Father of Anchor Chain Industry", Flinn made and constructed his own weight and lever proofing machine for his chain.

In the same year Samuel Brown, a British Naval Officer, took out Patents for twisted open chain links, joining shackles and swivels. The twisted link patent was soon abandoned but Brown's shackle and swivel designs were scarcely improved on for the next 100 years. The conversion from hemp to chain now proceeded quickly.

More here at this link:
http://www.oldchesterpa.com/baldt_anchor_history.htm#history_anchor_chain

Still awaiting more replies from Sub-Arch.

Tom

 

[pcolaboy]

That's some good info Mad4Wrecks. Thanks for sharing.

Pcola

 

[Sophjomom]

 

[Sophjomom]

Any idea how old this chain is?
This is the after picture

 

[Sophjomom]

 

[Sophjomom]

Before picture. Found it about 2-3 feet underground on beach

 

[seekerGH]

Found this about anchors http://nautarch.tamu.edu/pdf-files/Jobling-MA1993.pdf not too much about chain (but it has pictures!)