CONSERVATION RESEARCH LABORATORY REPORT NO. 7

CONSERVING THE HULL OF THE BELLE

LA SALLE SHIPWRECK PROJECT
TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

PHOTO GALLERY 15: OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2001

We are almost ready to begin the treatment of the wood using polyethylene glycol (PEG). In order to protect the ship during the conservation phase, we have built a protective cover over the treatment pool.

   


October 29, 2001: Jim Jobling and his team have started to construct a customized protective roof over the vat.

The roof was constructed from a modified greenhouse kit.

Corrugated fiberglass panelling was used to
construct the ends of the structure.

The frame was covered with two layers of clear plastic that are inflated to provide an insulating barrier. A third layer of
black pastic will be used to protect the ship from sunlight and to retain heat, as well as to retard algae growth.

View through the double doors of one of the eight vats
that will be used to store the PEG.

The roof structure will need to be removed in order
to move the ship when treatment is completed.

Webcam Update: In order to protect the ship during the conservation phase, we have built a protective cover over the treatment pool. While necessary, this has unfortunately obscured the camera's view of the ship. Therefore, the camera will be moved to document ongoing conservation of two coal cars from a mine in Jewett, Texas.

Click on the link below to see the latest images of La Belle.

 VIEW THE COMPLETED RECONSTRUCTION OF LA BELLE

Citation Information:

Peter Fix
2001, Conservation of the Hull of the Belle, Conservation Research Laboratory Research Report #7, Photo Gallery 15, World Wide Web, URL, http://nautarch.tamu.edu/crl/Report7/hull15.htm, Nautical Archaeology Program, Texas A&M University; La Salle Shipwreck Project, Texas Historical Commission, Austin, Texas.

 
RETURN TO HULL CONSERVATION PHOTO GALLERY INDEX
CRL PROJECT REPORTS
LA SALLE SHIPWRECK PROJECT (TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION)


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