Ships Brass Nail?

[HaloJones]

Ship's Brass Nail?

Hi

I wonder if anyone can help identify what this is I found.

I believe it's a brass nail from a shipwreck(?).

Found: 2007
Location: Dominican Republic
Where: Shoreline (old reef), non populated area

The 'nail' was about 6" deep in sand (ankle deep water) amongst an old coral reef which now forms part of the shoreline. The reef itself was 'pinging' left right and center but this is the only item of interest that I could find.

I'm not aware of any reported shipwrecks in the immediate area.

Hopefully the pictures explain themselves, apart from they don't really show how nice an object this is.

It doesn't appear to be magnetic at all.

If it is a nail then the head has obviously broken off and it can be seen that it has suffered some trauma.

There are no visible markings, apart from the scores/grooves that can be seen in the pics.

- The last picture (7) is just for comparison against what I believe is a 19th century iron nail -

Is this a site worthy of more exploration?

If you can suggest any likely source/age/background I'd really appreciate it.

Many thanks
Halo


Edit: Sorry if this is a bit simple but I'm new to this .
Not sure when brass nails started being used in this area, is it possibly just a random item, does this help identify a potential shipwreck site, etc

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes thats what it is most likely from shipwreck. Was it green? I found a broken brass nail (bottom) off the Treasure Coast of Florida. Yes, it is broken and appears to have suffered trauma.

 

[HaloJones]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

Thanks.

It was a bit green, and had a little 'concretion' (?) on it but otherwise it was suprisingly clean.

Also, possibly of interest, this was found in a sizeable bay with a reef break offshore, as opposed to a long sweeping/open beach.

Is it possible to date such an item?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

I dont know the date. I found mine deep after 2 hurricanes cut the beach down about ten feet at a known 1715 shipwreck location. There may also be an 1800's wreck.

 

[Bobadilla]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

Hi,

My opinion is that it is ship´s nail. There were different sizes of these nails used in shipbuilding in 17th-19th century. If it was green on the surface, it´s typical. I have found some of them on northern coast of DR in the past, too. If it was "clean" as you state, you probably found it burried in the sandy bottom, perhaps under the reef wall. You wrote that according to your knowledge there was no shipwreck report from this area. Can you tell us if you found it on the northern or southern coast of the island? I do not want exact place, of course, but if you could specify a little, like for example "around Puerto Plata", or "somewhere around Samana Bay", I may help you with some reported wrecks in such area.

Regards,
Lobo

 

[HaloJones]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

Wow Lobo. Thanks for your reply. I've just seen that you seem to be exactly the right person to talk to, having written a book about the subject!

I've sent you an email with a little more detail (which will hopefully make sense to you).

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

yes a brass / bronze ships nail / spike common 1700 up till 1900 on wooden vessels --I'd be looking at the area where you found it very closely esp if no "recorded" wrecks have been reported locally -- if so you might have a fresh site --good luck

 

[HaloJones]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

Thanks for the comments.

It seems that I've found a new hobby (passion)! I only borrowed the detector from a friend as it seemed like an interesting thing to do on holiday, but now I've started to research this I'm intrigued. Guess I'm going to have to do a lot more reading!

The nail cropped up in conversation a little while ago with my friend who was convinced that it was a sign of treasure . I'm afraid I was a bit dismissive but now I'm not so sure!

Do these sort of things travel far from wrecks, it is quite heavy?

We're hoping to go out there again very soon so I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

 

[Cynangyl]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

great find! I am looking forward to hearing if you find anything else in the area! Welcome to the addiction!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

Thanks for the comments.

It seems that I've found a new hobby (passion)! I only borrowed the detector from a friend as it seemed like an interesting thing to do on holiday, but now I've started to research this I'm intrigued. Guess I'm going to have to do a lot more reading!

The nail cropped up in conversation a little while ago with my friend who was convinced that it was a sign of treasure . I'm afraid I was a bit dismissive but now I'm not so sure!

Do these sort of things travel far from wrecks, it is quite heavy?

We're hoping to go out there again very soon so I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

It is possible that a beam with broken nails could have become floatsam and traveled a bit. If you ever get a hurricane, or a strong wind even, would be the best time to search again. Did you say you found it on top of coral? Was it found underwater? Usually heavy items will sink deep in sand until it hits coral, rock, coqina or hardpan. An older shipwreck may not always be treasure laden but it could hold relics.

 

[HaloJones]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

It was underwater, only 4ft (approx.) out in about 8" of water. Bobadilla got it spot on in the fact that it was under the reef wall in sand. I suppose I hadn't considered it could have arrived as floatsam. I guess the only way to verify it would be to find more of the same in that area, otherwise floatsam could explain it.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Ship's Brass Nail?

Yes yes yes. Look for more. There should be more artifacts. Even old wood will survive or ballast stones.
I found other artifacts with my brass nail, including a still unidentfied and undated silver token (pic). Beach renourishment stopped me from looking further. It says 12-30-43 -- 1- 2- 44 (Dec30- Jan2) but what century?