Latitude 50°21.51 N
Longitude 004° 07..99 W
Depth 5m
Accuracy 500m
Object Type Ships Fastening
Material Metal; Copper Alloy
Description A small copper tack, bent to a near right angle. Likely to be associated with copper sheathing.
Markings None
Length 25mm
Width 8mm, head
Diameter 4mm
Weight 5g
Condition Good
Completeness 100%
Number of items 1
Location Description Jennycliff

Copper Tack (13A140)

A sheathing tack recovered from a wreck site in Plymouth Sound, used for securing copper sheathing to the hull of a vessel. The small tack is round with a countersunk head. The curved length is 25mm, likely to be 40mm (1.5 inches) when straightened, making it more likely to be sheathing tack, as opposed to a sheathing nail. Sheathing nails are characteristically slightly larger at around 50mm (2 inches) long.

The pattern configuration on copper sheathing can help to identify the nationality of a wreck. For example the French historically would fasten diagonally across, whereas the British preferred parallel patterns (1).

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Images

Copper Tack

Sheathing Tack

References

(1) McCarthy, M. (2005) Ships' Fastenings: From Sewn Boat to Steamship. Texas; A&M University Press