🔎 UNIDENTIFIED (Updated pictures)found this what i think is an old solid copper boat rudder. Found on the side of the historic nansemond river, any info helps

[TheDukeofDiesels]

 

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[BennyV]

Looks like a sailboat keel.

 

[TheDukeofDiesels]

View attachment 2191224

I believe it's very old it's made with hammered copper rivets on what could be the trunion? Also about 3 ft away from were i found this rudder/keel i found this king george 3 hard to sea but davy Jones locker has been eating at it for some while.

 

[BennyV]

On second look I think you got it right.

 

[TheDukeofDiesels]

On second look I think you got it right.

All good that's the only thing I can think it could be.

 

[BennyV]

All good that's the only thing I can think it could be.

Do you know any old timers in the area who could give you a quick rundown of local history and who’s property it was?

 

[Limitool]

Welcome to T-Net.. Hard to say other-words but copper...?

 

[ToddsPoint]

Being close to the James River, you are in a wonderful colonial American location. Nothing you find in that area would surprise me when it comes to early American history.

 

[TheDukeofDiesels]

Welcome to T-Net.. Hard to say other-words but copper...?

Thanks for the welcome but yes so.., crazy detail but my Dad's a top tier career welder an expert in all things metal.... he says it's made of very old pure copper. Its heavy but yes solid copper

 

[TheDukeofDiesels]

Do you know any old timers in the area who could give you a quick rundown of local history and who’s property it was?

Oh yes the area of Nensemond river i was on was everything from a trade routes for Native Americans, to George Washington and revolutionary war camps

 

[ArfieBoy]

Great find. Congratulations! Welcome to the forum.

 

[ticndig]

Welcome from central Va, I'd hit that area hard there's bound to be more relics around.

 

[TheDukeofDiesels]

Welcome from central Va, I'd hit that area hard there's bound to be more relics around.

Thank you and yes I return there often maybe someday that gold doubloon will show up lol

 

[unclemac]

I want to say no on this simply because there would be no need to make it out of copper. Wood would have been more that sufficient and solid copper would have been pretty expensive for such a thing. There is no reason for it to be copper. BUT, it is something interesting to be sure.

 

[Limitool]

I want to say no on this simply because there would be no need to make it out of copper. Wood would have been more that sufficient and solid copper would have been pretty expensive for such a thing. There is no reason for it to be copper. BUT, it is something interesting to be sure.

That was my thinking in post #3. Using copper just seemed so over the top for that. But if not that... What the hell was/is it....?

 

[ncsuwolf]

I’d say it’s shaped/built right for a rudder…..

 

[Mud Hut]

Another possibility is the tail fin off of a windmill.

 

[beepbleep]

The wood seems too small to control a rudder. Could it be some old piece of a riverboat steamer paddlewheel?

 

[TheDukeofDiesels]

The wood seems too small to control a rudder. Could it be some old piece of a riverboat steamer paddlewheel?

I'm open to anything, I have searched high and low trying to find something remotely similar, no luck...

 

[Limitool]

Another possibility is the tail fin off of a windmill.

Mud Hut has a good thought here. And the wood associated with this does seem very weak to control the rudder when turned into the current. Being a tail fin it would bear much less stress I'd think. But that's hard to buy also because wood would be easier to use. I know... big help...!!!!