The Steamboating Forum

The more I think about this one, the more I think you dug up some trash....located on the ship

Why?

If that rod was where it belonged, it would be deep in the bowels of the ship under a large cylinder block rust solid with the crank and crosshead guides...taking it out with a wrecking bucket would have caused all kinds of destruction....it would appear to be otherwise neat clean, and not deranged beyond the obvious oxidation....I would think it would look like a pretzel if removed by force....

I think they dumped what ever scrap was in the shipyard into or on the hull when they sunk her and you found some of it.......JMHO.

Dave

Or maybe a part of the windlass?

piet

Hi Piet,

If it was it was a big windlass with a seven foot connecting rod.

Dave

You'r right Dave.
Must be a hell of a windlass than.
Do the old steamers carry a spare con-rod on deck like they do whit a spare screw maybe?
Piet

I would have to agree with the "trash" theory. Look at the cross head bearings, the bronze (gunmetal) has been removed.