Le Casimir Wreck Underwater Photographs for June/July 2014 Project.

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Six bronze clench bolts were found during the survey. The first was a well eroded bronze copper alloy clench bolt missing the clench.

Two copper alloy square headed nails were found, which were given artefact numbers: PBW/2014/Shi/NF/11811 and PBW/2014/Shi/NF/11812. The first was bent and both of them were well worn and eroded In addition one copper sheeting copper alloy nail, 28 mm long was recovered and given artefact No:PBW/2014/Shi/NF/11815. Two flattened copper alloy thimbles, probably one found inside the other and were given the artefact No: PBW/2014/Car/NF/11817 and PBW/2014/Car/NF/11818.

During the survey the Team was focusing on the ships construction. For the area uncovered it was clear that A0,B0, C0 & D0 had been looted in the past and that the floors and futtocks had been removed from these squares. Survey squaresC1 and D1 were also missing the floors and futtocks which is also as a result of the past looting. The first frame found was in survey square C2 and D2 and was eroded and eaten and so not much information remained. 

Whilst the floors and futtocks were missing the Team could determine their original location from the positioning of the trunnel holes. The wooden trunnels were used to position the floors and futtocks and attach them to the bottom planking. In a number of cases the trunnel holes were empty and were full of sand. At present the Team are not able to determine if the trunnels were missing because they were attached to the floors and futtocks and were removed then these frames were destroyed by the looters, or if there were missing in the first place. Some of the trunnel holes were indeed located poorly, with some found to be close to the edge of the planking resulting in a week fixing. In other locations the Team found trunnels inserted into other trunnels, one assumes by accident. This severely reduced the strength of the trunnel and the join of the two timbers. On one location the original round trunnel had been compressed into an oval, by the lateral force of the timbers indication a lateral force which should not be in that location.

Team member Cristina heading back to the dive boats on Le Casimir Wreck site after a busy dive.

Team member Cristina heading back to the dive boats on Le Casimir Wreck site after a busy dive.

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Uncovering a bronze clench bolt.

Uncovering a bronze clench bolt.

The same bolt.

The same bolt.

Survey square C0 totally uncovered ready for drawing.

Survey square C0 totally uncovered ready for drawing.

Close up of the hull planking in survey square C0 showing the trunnel holes, some of which were placed in incorrect places.

Close up of the hull planking in survey square C0 showing the trunnel holes, some of which were placed in incorrect places.

  Two trunnels placed incorrectly, one in another.

 Two trunnels placed incorrectly, one in another.

Two trunnels places too close for best effect.

Two trunnels places too close for best effect.

An originally round trunnel deformed by the curvature of the hull planking.

An originally round trunnel deformed by the curvature of the hull planking.

Two trunnels were totally missing at the time of sinking and were filled in with sand after the wrecking process.

Two trunnels were totally missing at the time of sinking and were filled in with sand after the wrecking process.

The ballast pile of bricks can be seen above the grid. This is the amidships position of the wreck.

The ballast pile of bricks can be seen above the grid. This is the amidships position of the wreck.

The Team tried to complete 16 * 1 metre squares in the two weeks, but we were unable to complete them all as there was insufficient time.

The Team tried to complete 16 * 1 metre squares in the two weeks, but we were unable to complete them all as there was insufficient time.

Wesley carefully removing infill in the space between the floor and futtock in survey square C2.

Wesley carefully removing infill in the space between the floor and futtock in survey square C2.

Dr Spooner using the DX200 on the far side of the ballast section to locate the buried mast rings.

Dr Spooner using the DX200 on the far side of the ballast section to locate the buried mast rings.

The Explorers Club flag flying in the underwater current, which at some times pushed the divers around.

The Explorers Club flag flying in the underwater current, which at some times pushed the divers around.

Another bronze clench bolt is located in survey square C2.

Another bronze clench bolt is located in survey square C2.

  Another bronze clench bolt. This one still bent at 90 degrees by the wrecking process with the base still in the hull planking.

 Another bronze clench bolt. This one still bent at 90 degrees by the wrecking process with the base still in the hull planking.

The same bole uncovered.

The same bole uncovered.

The archaeological water dredge in action

The archaeological water dredge in action

  The tail end with Christina and Ruth working on the tailgate.

 The tail end with Christina and Ruth working on the tailgate.

The Team uncovering the "turn of the bilge".

The Team uncovering the "turn of the bilge".

Understanding the ships construction.

Understanding the ships construction.

Please go to page 5 to continue.  

 ADMAT's maritime archaeological  work on this wreck site was assisted by ADMAT-FRANCE a non profit organisation based in the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris.

ADMAT-FRANCE is a sub division of the Anglo ~ Danish Maritime Archaeological Team

ADMAT is delighted to have an association with Muséum Nationald’Histoire Naturelle at Paris, départememt Préhistoire, UMR-CNRS 7194.