Posted by Ross Richardson on December 15, 19103 at 22:21:19:
In Reply to: dating artifacts posted by Bob Saxton on December 13, 19103 at 14:29:21:
I don't believe carbon dating would work, the objects aren't old enough and the process is suspect to say the least. The only way I know is maybe the iron artifacts could give you clues as to when the vessel was built.
If you can, post pictures of the artifacts on this site. There are plenty of people who could help, I'm sure.
Follow the coal, see where it leads, then let us know!
Ross Richardson
: Can anyone tell me if there are ways to estimate how long oak planking or iron artifacts have been submerged in Lake Erie waters. I often find very well worn pieces of oak, as well as iron artifacts heavily encrusted with concretion on the beach. I also find a considerable amount of coal, which I am suspecting is washing out of the wreck of the Marquette and Bessemer #2 carferry that disappeared in Dec. 1909, and wonder if there is any way to tell if the coal was mined that long ago.