Shipwrecked artefact intrigues

HISTORY: A wooden "deadeye" found at Murrell's Beach.

A MYSTERIOUS shipwrecked artefact is the latest addition to the Glenelg Shire’s Cultural Collection, with an intriguing path ahead for its conservation process.

A wooden “deadeye” is the most recent acquisition, found by local beach combers Carol and Daryll Cram earlier this year.

A deadeye was an item used in the standing and running rigging of traditional sailing ships and is a smallish round thick wooden disc, with one or more holes through it.

The mysterious item was found washed up on Murrell’s Beach and is suspected to be dislodged from one of the few shipwrecks located around Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater.

Glenelg Shire Arts and Cultural manager Susie Lyons said there were strict guidelines ahead for the preservation of the item.

“We’re pleased to welcome this very unique artefact to the Cultural Collection and we hope to preserve this fascinating story for generations to come,” she said.

“A conservation plan has been initiated, with a lengthy and delicate process ahead that requires the slow extraction of water to prevent the cracking of wood and damage due to shrinking.

“However, the first step in the conservation is quite an unusual one, with an X-Ray required to determine the presence of rope and any other hidden features or clues.

“We have recently undertaken the X-Ray thanks to the team at Portland District Health and their new digital machine, which has provided a clearer image of just what the deadeye is comprised of.

“With the X-Ray images now taken, we can provide this to an expert conservation team and ensure we implement a plan to preserve this item as best as possible.

“Following this, we hope to eventually share this artefact and its fascinating story with the community as part of a public exhibition.”

The acquired deadeye will be registered under the Glenelg Shire Cultural Collection with the Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database.