Old Boat Anchor from Dry Tortugas

[Symphonitron]

Hi,

My grandfather's estate includes this huge 60-inch boat anchor which I was told came out of Dry Tortugas. It came with the house when we bought it, so presumably the previous owner installed it in the early 70's. Does anybody know what kind of boat it might have come from, or about how old it is?

Our big problem right now is that we have to get rid of it. But its' extremely rusted and has large coral growing on it. The mere touch of a finger causes large chunks of rust and coral to fall off of it. You can see a lot has already fallen. I had the idea of donating it somewhere but it'll never survive transport. It's attached to the wall and this shelf (which itself came from a hatch cover on the SS Bernie Pyle, so I'm told - nothing to do with the anchor).

Any advice as to any of this would be appreciated!

--Chris

 

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[Icewing]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=anchor+types&FORM=HDRSC2&PC=MOZB

 

[ARC]

Unfortunately this one is far gone.

The salt has taken its toll.

Good for a lawn ornament... to live out its final days.

UNLESS... you seal it with heavy duty paint.

Btw... this is an OLD one.

 

[Icewing]

You can seal it up with multiple coats of clear coat or try a heavy duty spray on rust prevention wax like this

https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/cosmoline-rp-342-heavy-spray-military-grade-rust-preventive/

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

First off, welcome to Tnet Chris!
I tend to be a sentimentalist about these things and my suggestion would be to attempt to preserve it for posterity.
Even though you might see it as "extremely rusted and has large coral growing on it", it's very decorative.

It may just look like a rusty lump of metal, but I'd like to think it held some form of sentimentality or possibly a memory to your grandfather.

Dave

 

[ARC]

You can seal it up with multiple coats of clear coat or try a heavy duty spray on rust prevention wax like this

https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/cosmoline-rp-342-heavy-spray-military-grade-rust-preventive/

Have you used this stuff Icewing ? Sounds interesting.

 

[ARC]

Well... I also agree with above posts concerning trying to save it... BUT...

Salt is the enemy here... it was never removed... the salts will continue to reek havoc no matter what is used to try an preserve it.

BUT... this does not mean it cannot be saved with a little work.

Salts need to be leached out.

IF this is your goal to try and save it... read up on this process.

At the very least... you should aquire something large enough to submerge it ... perhaps a small kiddie pool and fill and soak / repeat with fresh water over periods of time.

Electrolysis is the method of reality though.
'
Regardless... this must first have some attempt to rid the salts.

 

[ARC]

Oh... almost forgot...

In case you were not aware... The "table" that this rests on.... is not a table... tis "hatch cover"... a highly desired piece as well.

 

[Symphonitron]

Preservation

Well... I also agree with above posts concerning trying to save it... BUT...

Salt is the enemy here... it was never removed... the salts will continue to reek havoc no matter what is used to try an preserve it.

BUT... this does not mean it cannot be saved with a little work.

Salts need to be leached out.

IF this is your goal to try and save it... read up on this process.

At the very least... you should aquire something large enough to submerge it ... perhaps a small kiddie pool and fill and soak / repeat with fresh water over periods of time.

Electrolysis is the method of reality though.
'
Regardless... this must first have some attempt to rid the salts.

Thanks for all the replies. Sadly I don't think even its journey from the wall to a pool would yield anything left to go in the pool. It would crush under its own weight. I literally just dabbed my finger on the side and pieces fell off.

There is also a time factor. We only have months to move out and sell this house, and there won't be anybody with enough time to deal with a serious restoration project. I had thought of wrapping a million times in bubble wrap before removing it from the wall and shelf, but even that will cause it to fall apart.

I'm probably asking too much. Someone mentioned sentimentality - and yes there is a little of that. I had thoughts of donating it to the local yacht club on behalf of my grandfather who was a member, but it will not survive the journey unless someone who knows what they are doing takes care of the transportation. I have tried contacting a local nautical museum as well to see if they have any advice. But I don't have high expectations that this anchor is going to survive 2019.

--Chris

 

[HuntinDog]

Chris,
Agreeded it will crumble when trying to move it, but what choice do you have?
If you are lucky the outer layers that crumble aren't too deep. You may be surprised.
I would carefully pack it on (not wrapped) bubble wrap in an appropriately sized box and carefully transport it to my new house to be persevered.
Sorry I just too cool I couldn't leave that behind...

and Welcome to TreasureNet

 

[A2coins]

Is this only of value to your Grandfather if it has no value to you then deep six it

 

[A2coins]

Welcome from Mi Tommy

 

[Symphonitron]

My grandfather took no special pride in it, it just came with the house. We don't attach any great sentimental value to it, though a bit of nostalgia, and the shame of losing such a unique and interesting object. Easiest solution is to leave it alone and let the buyer worry about it. But I'd prefer to find another solution if one exists that doesn't require months of unique work.