Shipwreck Identification

[LuckyKevin]

My partner and I have been investigating a shipwreck. Haw anyone ever seen any containers like this? What were they carrying? How old might they be? I have some close up pics of the strange faces they are decorated with from some samples that were recovered.

Kevin

 

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[Mackaydon]

Are those metal screw-on caps?

 

[cornelis 816]

Those are Bellamine jugs . They were used to hold Jenever ( Gin ) or Wine . They were in use for a long time ( say from 1600 till 1800 ) . That is some beautifull wreck you have there . Cornelius

 

[FISHEYE]

Looks like bottles from the 19th century in fresh water with tanic acid like the st johns river or a lake.

 

[Mackaydon]

Here's some history--most interesting.
http://chesterfieldpagans.org/2010/10/04/piddle-and-spikes-an-introduction-to-witch-bottles/
Good call Cornelis !
Don.....

 

[cornelis 816]

I would like to investigate that wreck a little closer . Would'nt you Don ? Cornelius

 

[LuckyKevin]

Fresh water...cold.

Here are some closeups

 

[cornelis 816]

Picture one is a Bellarmine bottle . picture two is a Onion bottle , quite differente from the Bellarmine bottle . So don't give us some information . Give us the whole story . Cornelius

 

[Hangingfor8]

Thats some cool stuff Kevin.... Good luck

 

[Jason in Enid]

I've got a drysuit and more tanks than I know what to do with (not really) including doubles sets. Want help on that wreck?

 

[Mackaydon]

Those are excellent pieces; here's another similar one:
http://d-vers.com/bellarmine-jug-stoneware-rare-antique-17th-c-greybeard-p-569.html
Cornelius: Yes, it would be a great wreck to work thoroughly for its history.
Don..........

 

[Alexandre]

Cornelius is right: Bellarmines and an onion bottle.

Here's several guides, including one to identify English bottles:

http://www.sha.org/research_resources/parks_canada.cfm

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Great jugs!Keep us posted with more pics of the artifacts! Good luck

 

[Jason in Enid]

Great jugs!

LOL, be careful where you use that line!

 

[ivan salis]

seriously old bottles -nice wreck --

 

[cornelis 816]

Do you guys have a permit for this wreck ? Is it your wreck or are the pistures from somebody else ? Don't clean the jugs . Jugs with some seaborn growth are more valuable . If you have some jugs for sale I am interested . Cornelius

 

[piratediver]

I second Cornelius and am interested in the Bellarmines. To get a good overview of the bottles and the Bellarmines buy a copy of " A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America" by Ivor Noel Hume. Hume was the chief archaeologist at Colonial Williamsburg and this book should be in the library of anyone interested in artifacts of the colonial period. I used it at 3 different universities as a text book along with his other publications on historical archaeology.

Based on the pictures of your artifacts it appears they are from the early 1600's.


Keep up the good work and please post more pics when possible. Any hull remains?


Pirate diver

 

[cornelis 816]

Lucky Kevin . Did you dive on this vessel ? Did you take these pictures or are you just giving us a story ! I assume that it is a cold water wreck . Cornelius

 

[LuckyKevin]

Cornelius:

It is an ongoing project so I am not a liberty to give many of the details as we are still actively trying to determine if we need a permit, etc. I am back home now. We only have a narrow weather window to accomplish work on the site and don't want someone else jumping our claim in the meantime. I have answered your other question you sent PM. And will give the group additional details of the discovery and recovery efforts as we progress.

Thanks to everyone for your imput, expertise, advice and interest.

Kevin

 

[piratediver]

Kevin: is there any sign of hull remains or other structure. The artifacts suggest a very early wreck, especially if it is in the U.S. If you need any archaeological input please ask. I'm the archaeologist for 3 sites in Mass. now, dating from 1710, 1745 and 1796.

BTW, is that your Vette, she's a beauty!


Pirate Diver