Shiver me timbers. Wood from ship? Age?

[IndianRiverSonrise]

Hello, I bring some more junk for your inspection.

I just found this wood beam in the surf.
It is about 3.5 feet long, eight inches wide and 6 inches deep. It has two metal bolts or spikes worn off at the surface so i can just see the rusted blobs of the ends. Looks like there might have been another spike in the larger hole. Was wondering if you would say that it is from a ship or something else and what age would you guess. I know it is not much to go on, but have at it. I can use the help. All thoughts welcome and apprectiated. Oh, the plastic bottle was the most common item that I could find at the time for inclusion in the picture althought the approximate dimnensions are presented above. Thanks

 

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[Patrol]

Looks like broken railroad ties to me. Two holes are where the spikes went to hold down the rail.

TE

 

[Two Dogs]

I agree with the RR ties theory. 2dgs

 

[IndianRiverSonrise]

I have a railroad close by so I can go and check the size of the ties and placement of spikes . Thanks

 

[TXPlugKutter]

I would say RR ties as well because you can see in the pic there is a square depression in the tie. This would have been where the steel plate holding the rail would have gone.

 

[Angelo]

Cut the timber close to the spike/bolt. If it's a square spike then Rail Road Tie.

If threaded, then perhaps, part of a beach retaining wall or dock.

As far as a ship, I doubt it as the angle appears to have been cut with a chain saw.

Doubt that it's been traveling in the seas for very long as the saw marks and edges would be further worn.

Check the dark spots and see if you can scrape some substance off as it could be creosote. That would point to rail road tie, but used for retaining wall, and not dock due to environmental issues.

Tony

 

[IndianRiverSonrise]

Cut the timber close to the spike/bolt. If it's a square spike then Rail Road Tie.

If threaded, then perhaps, part of a beach retaining wall or dock.

As far as a ship, I doubt it as the angle appears to have been cut with a chain saw.

Doubt that it's been traveling in the seas for very long as the saw marks and edges would be further worn.

Check the dark spots and see if you can scrape some substance off as it could be creosote. That would point to rail road tie, but used for retaining wall, and not dock due to environmental issues.

Tony

Was thinking of cutting into it to see the spikes. I am pretty much convinced of the railroad tie theory right now myself. Thanks guys.

 

[imafishingnutt]

Cut the timber close to the spike/bolt. If it's a square spike then Rail Road Tie.

If threaded, then perhaps, part of a beach retaining wall or dock.

As far as a ship, I doubt it as the angle appears to have been cut with a chain saw.

Doubt that it's been traveling in the seas for very long as the saw marks and edges would be further worn.

Check the dark spots and see if you can scrape some substance off as it could be creosote. That would point to rail road tie, but used for retaining wall, and not dock due to environmental issues.

Tony

Was thinking of cutting into it to see the spikes. I am pretty much convinced of the railroad tie theory right now myself. Thanks guys.

DONT CUT IT BAD IDEAH find out whaat it is first
i dis agree with the RR tie
being around all ship yards it looks ship like to me but the thing that gets me is that notch for a plate or something seems to be out of place for it being off a ship ....try to emagine what part of the ship it would fit and i can come up with no place unless it was on the deck
my first thought was off a schooner but i dont think so if you trim into it just a bit if its a tie it will smell of creasote

 

[IndianRiverSonrise]

It does not look the same color as railroad ties. It is seems lighter in color to me. But I thought maybe that is from being in the surf. I don't know.

When I first looked at it, the spikes, or whatever that I could see, did not look the shape of railroad spikes, but I could only see the very tops which were very corroded. They did appear from that view to be more round. But again, I couldn't see anything but a little that was protruding. I'll hold off on cutting them out.

I should be able to inspect actual railraod ties and and spikes very soon to match up with my sample.

Thanks

 

[Patrol]

You could also measure the wood and see if it matches up to RR ties in size.

Another thought is that it could be "dunnage". That is material used to carry things on ships and barges and is often tossed over the side when they are finished with it.

Hence the term "flotsam and jetsam" this could be something that was jettisoned over board from a ship (jetsam). "Flotsam" is floating stuff from the sea like seaweed, etc.

Odds are RR Tie

TE

 

[IndianRiverSonrise]

Well, I'm pretty sure it is a RR tie. Went to see one on a local railraod siding. One of the things that originally threw me off, was the square indented shape on the tie. Turns out they do not put the rail directly on the tie, but a square plate is betweent the tie and rail. the square indent matches the plate in size and configuration.

So I think that is settled. Thanks again.