Posted by SW on August 11, 19100 at 00:32:32:
In Reply to: Shape of rudder to determine ship type and approx age posted by Jeff on August 10, 19100 at 20:36:32:
: I would like to identify a type of ship and approx. age by its rudder!
: the rudder is oak and assembled in pcs. and held together with iron spikes. it is approx 10 ft tall and shaped like a harp or grand piano
: the main stem is approx 12" in dia and flatted on one side, the stem has a pivot hole in the bottom and is wrapped with an iron band. the upper end of the rudder is in bad shape but appears to have 2 cross holes where the upper pivot may have been mounted.
: If there is anyone who can help to identify or steer me in the right direction with books that may show this type of ship.
: thank you in advance for any help, and I would be glad to answer any additional questions.
Hi Jeff,
This is an interesting question and could be quite difficult to answer, but fortunately for you, I am an expert at rudder identification. The way I usually approach such enigmas, is by first ruling out what it is not. From your description I feel quite confident that the vessel this rudder came from was not a birch bark canoe. I also feel reasonably comfortable with ruling out all 1000' freighters. So this makes it perfectly clear that the vessel we are trying to identify is somewhere between a canoe and a 1000' footer.
I hope this demonstrates why shipwreck exploration should be left to us professionals and not attempted by amatuers. I think with a little more work, I will have achieved honorary "Steve" status.
Your welcome,
Steve Wannabe