Looking for small pieces of old (100+ years old) shipwreck wood.

[Simplynuts]

Hi all! My name is Justin. I am a novice at all of this. I make custom pens in my little shop and have been trying to craft more meaningful, beautiful and unique custom pens. I've attached an example.

I am trying to find salvaged shipwreck wood from older wrecks, documented if possible. I thought this may be a great place to search. I am open to any direction you can give!

Thanks.

 

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[kingskid1611]

That is definitely a beautiful piece of art. I like it. Can't help you on your search but do admire your work.

 

[Simplynuts]

Thanks a lot! I enjoy it so much and it took me until I was 40 to finally find a hobby I loved, lol!

 

[FloridaSon]

Three foot piece with metal spike. Not documented washed up near fort pierce inlet, fl. PM me if interested please

 

[Bum Luck]

As you are probably are aware, the Great Lakes have preservation laws although the wood is better preserved.

The coastal laws are more lenient, but the wood tends to decay over time unless covered by mud or sand.

That said, I have personaly seen wood fro old shipwrecks in both places washed up on shore. Old wood is old wood, and how can it all be preserved? It can't, so there's your niche. You do need to avoid the dreaded archaeologist permitus.

An interesting addition would for you to date your wood by dendrochronology to a specific year range, species, and possible origin.

 

[FloridaSon]

As you are probably are aware, the Great Lakes have preservation laws although the wood is better preserved.

The coastal laws are more lenient, but the wood tends to decay over time unless covered by mud or sand.

That said, I have personaly seen wood fro old shipwrecks in both places washed up on shore. Old wood is old wood, and how can it all be preserved? It can't, so there's your niche. You do need to avoid the dreaded archaeologist permitus.

An interesting addition would for you to date your wood by dendrochronology to a specific year range, species, and possible origin.

That is a good point, any idea where this test could be performed? UF in Gainesville is working with St. Augustine but do not see a commercial side. Thx

 

[Professor of Engineering]

That is a beautiful pen!

 

[FISHEYE]

I have a 100 pound piece of wood from a 1715 wreck.pm me.

 

[Bum Luck]

That is a good point, any idea where this test could be performed? UF in Gainesville is working with St. Augustine but do not see a commercial side. Thx

Here's where it all started and continues today: https://ltrr.arizona.edu/

European database in Switzerland:
https://www.waldwissen.net/waldwirtschaft/waldbau/wachstum/wsl_dendrochronological_database/index_EN

Here's a good general article on the subject https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/30/science/tree-rings-climate.html

Here's an article on how shipwrecks and tree rings go together, mentions grog for you pirates:
https://earther.gizmodo.com/ancient-shipwrecks-are-a-treasure-trove-of-climate-data-1821650563

 

[FloridaSon]

I contacted UF they no longer do this but recommended Arizona.

 

[Blak bart]

Got some a couple weeks ago. This piece was found a couple weeks ago on the shoreline just inside our lease box. A much larger piece is being looked at and carbon dated right now. Also have a saw mill specialising in exotic hardwoods. We have cuban mahogany, aztec walnut, lignam vitae, sea grape, and other tropical exotics.

We can cut pen blanks from much of what we would consider scrap....so pm me if interested. Here is another piece of shipwreck wood I've had for many years hanging in the house.

 

[cyberdan]

I could not even attempt to get as nice of wood as in some of the photos. I live just a few mile from the Brother Jonathan ship wreck and we have had some very bad storms over the last few weeks with ten foot high tides. We are going to have rain for the next seven days. I plan on beach combing when the weather is better. Maybe something has washed up.

 

[Simplynuts]

Black Bart ... WOW!!! That is beautiful! I really appreciate the offer of the beautiful slab pieces cut into blanks. Fortunately, I have a lot of similar options nearby. I have made many beautiful pens out of such wood. I am more looking to make some really high end historical pieces... where the value is beyond just the craftsmanship and materials. I am attempting to create true heirloom pieces... The more history the better! I was fortunate to locate a couple tally sticks from the original HMS Invincible, which sunk in 1758. I received them from a person who worked with the original diver, before the wreck was turned into a preservation site by England in 1980. They weren't cheap! I don't need very much material, usually 1"x1"x6"... anything like that?

 

[Simplynuts]

Sounds great, would love to see what you find!

I could not even attempt to get as nice of wood as in some of the photos. I live just a few mile from the Brother Jonathan ship wreck and we have had some very bad storms over the last few weeks with ten foot high tides. We are going to have rain for the next seven days. I plan on beach combing when the weather is better. Maybe something has washed up.

 

[cyberdan]

Sounds great, would love to see what you find!

Well not today. No work but wind expected at 50MPH. Hope my greenhouse survives.