A load of rowlocks

he keel may have been constructed using a central flat piece of timber and the bow and stern carved or bent from other pieces and riveted together. Excavations also show that the bulkheads may have been riveted to the planks with wooden dowels. An interesting discovery was the rowlocks or rowing supports for the oars. These indicated that they were made by cutting a branch with side shoot to form a natural securing point and riveted to the widened strake or toprail to form a continuous set of rowing positions. the survey suggests that this ship was propelled by 40 oarsmen or 20 each side.
 

Planks and sails

he position of the cast shows that the ship had a 9 plank runs each side and the bow and stern curved steeply upwards as the breakwater. The bow and stern were of similar curved shape but the stern strengthened with 3 closely placed bulkheads which would have been fitted to accommodate the extra stress incurred by the starboard oar like rudder. No or little evidence has remained of the rudder mounting or the rudder itself. It is possible that it was removed before being transported to the burial site. No evidence remains that confirms that this ship had ever been used under sail. No mounting points or blocks were found that would show sail use. another indicator is the continuous run of rowlocks which seem to confirm the above evidence. The shallow draught of this ship, due to its wide beam, would make it a bit of a handful in rough seas. The estimated unloaded waterline would leave about 1 metre of draught. Rowing position is interesting. would the Saxon crew have rowed standing up or sit on sea chests as the Vikings did?. There are some examples of repairs having been made to this ship by the double sets of rivets in various places. Leaks were normally sealed by riveting another piece of wood over the hole.
 

What Kind of Ship Is This?

he very size of this vessel leaves a few questions about its purpose and where it would have been used. A good indication may be gleaned from the side view of the ship. See how very long it is compared to draught available unloaded. I would doubt it was ever used in open seas although it would be possible in calm weather. If fully loaded, the water would have been lapping the gunwales in any more than a slight swell. Another suggestion that it was a carrier of goods used primarily in the estuaries of East Anglia. The final and least plausible is that it was a royal barge for some eminent East Anglian king. Whatever the use of this ship, it became the subject of a Saxon burial ritual.
 

Don't Bury A Good One

hat makes me think that it was not a royal barge was the repair work that had been carried out on it. If you look at the graphic below that I have prepared from the original drawings taken at the time of discovery, you will see that the ship must have been used for a number of years and subject to an accident or two. If you also view the graphic of the skeleton of the riveting, you get the impression that this vessel was built to last - and in fact had done so. This evidence seems to exclude it being built for one particular person. This leads us to the conclusion that it was a normal working vessel near the end of its life that was chosen to be buried along with a East Anglian king or official of exceeding importance. Who this might have been will be discussed later. Even in those days, there was a limit to what they were prepared to do to honour their dead kings.