Documentation of an Unknown, Double Ended Boat
Caleb O’Brien
Stephanie Smith
Jacob Dickerson
Dr. Lynn Harris
HIST 6881- History and Archaeology of Small Watercraft
Description of the Boat
This boat is an unknown type of double-ended boat with two different suggestions including being a lifeboat. The length overall for this boat is roughly 7.5 meters and has a beam around 2 meters. The exterior of the boat is painted red and white, with the red being the waterline and the gunwale. As the name suggests this vessel is double ended, meaning it is tapered at both ends which is common on both whaleboats and lifeboats. The vessel also has a reinforced gunwale signifying that the vessel had to deal with more stress on this section of the craft. The shape is described as a wine goblet shape with a “V shaped bottom”. The boat also contains a very developed stern post with spots for rudders and within each section there are oarlocks. In the interior there are five seats that include a small deck on the front and back. Also, there are post holes to hold a cover to protect the vessel. There are slots along the bottom their purpose is not known, but it can be assumed that they may have been used as a small, temporary mast step. The overall condition of this boat is subpar the floors are broken on the interior and the vessel is held together by a series of frames.
When it comes to determining the function of the vessel, it has been suggested that the vessel was a lifeboat. Based on research into the construction of lifeboats, this boat is most likely not a lifeboat as it fits neither the standards for shore-based lifeboats or shipborne lifeboats. If this were a shore-based lifeboat, this vessel would be much larger and had more oarlocks for a larger crew. This vessel would also have needed features involved in buoyancy to insure that the vessel would not sink. If it were a shipborne lifeboat it also would have needed the buoyancy features preventing the vessel from sinking. A shipborne lifeboat also would have needed hooks to allow the boat to be lowered, which are not present on this craft. Therefore, it seems unlikely that this vessel is a lifeboat.
To Scaled, Inked Drawings
(Figure 1: Scaled, Ink Drawing of Plan, Profile, and Curves)
(Figure 2: Scaled, Ink Drawing of Cross Sections)
Sketches
(Figure 3: Plan View Sketch)
(Figure 4: Profile View Sketch)
Raw Data
(Figure 5: Bow Cross Section Measurements)
(Figure 6: Plan View Measurements)
(Figure 7: Cross Section Measurements)
(Figure 8: Profile View from Below)
(Figure 9: Profile View from Above)
Pictures of the Boat
(Figure 10: Profile View of the Stern)
(Figure 11: Profile View of Midships)
(Figure 12: Interior View of Stern)
(Figure 13: Profile View of Midships)
(Figure 14: Interior View)
(Figure 15: Stern)
(Figure 16: Bow)