🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Ohio River Iron Hook

[Mkriegs]

Found during a dive in the Ohio River near the remains of what I believe was a steamboat wreck. I suspect it could be a hook to hold a ferry or boat in place on the shoreline? The wood is wrapped in copper with the iron hook section driven into the center of the wood piece. The shiny color is due to recent soaking in SP-11 and the iron has been boiled in paraffin wax. Also included some photos before the initial preservation. As you can see, most of the iron had rusted away... The wood is EXTREMELY solid and shows signs of heavy use.

 

[releventchair]

Could be the remains of a logging pike pole.

 

[Older The Better]

I like it whatever it is. Has great character

 

[Nathan W]

Yes it's unique

 

[Mkriegs]

Could be the remains of a logging pike pole.

Very possible. There was a large off loading site for logs across the river.

 

[Oldrvrrat57]

I've worked on the inland rivers for almost 50 years and in my opinion it is an early pike pole used for retrieving lines for mooring barges, looks like the spike is broken off the end.

 

[Gare]

A very unique find Where in the Ohio river ? Are you in Ohio

 

[Mkriegs]

A very unique find Where in the Ohio river ? Are you in Ohio

I am in Northern Kentucky near Cincinnati.

 

[Almy]

I was going to say pike pole too. Around our area they were used for pushing and poking logs around, besides what Oldrvvrat57 mentioned they were used for. I was a "bay rat" for over 20 years and then a "river rat" for another 60. But most of these pike pole tools were used before I came on the scene.

 

[Mkriegs]

Another option: This hook was found very close to a historic steamboat construction yard.