Blackfriars 1 (c. 150)

Discovered in a cofferdam of a riverside construction project. Remains were moved to the Guildhall Museum for further study, then later placed in storage in the Museum of London. This was probably a sailing barge; it was carrying a cargo of large quarried ragstone when it sank.

The mast was stepped in a floor timber, which was made much larger for greater strength and area. Planks were double clench-nailed to frames in ancient Mediterranean herringbone fashion. Nails were of hollow-headed iron and were driven through treenails.¹

References

1. Richard Steffy, INA Shipdata Project, Texas A&M University.

2. Marsden, P., A Ship of the Roman Period, From Blackfriars, in the City of London, London (1970).