Unearthing the legacy of ships timbers
Let's dive into the world of ships timbers, understanding their journey from the sea to historic buildings. Their distinct characteristics, can seperate some of the yays and nays.
Ships timbers: a unique heritage material
Maybe a lot of old wives liked to tell a lot of tales? Well their is certainly a vast amount of tale/telling that we show on other pages surrounding traditional builds, and there is also the undeniable fact that many of today's wives love a bit of "wishful thinking".
Firstly, ships timbers, particularly those salvaged and repurposed in buildings, possess characteristics unlike any other wood. Their exposure to saltwater, marine organisms, and varied stresses during their maritime life creates timbers them with a unique composition and structural integrity. Understanding these properties is paramount for effective conservation and restoration. We aim to reach all those interested in this fascinating aspect of building heritage, from seasoned professionals to curious enthusiasts.
Get the poporn out, and realise we don't reinvent wheels
A famous, and memorable case for a lot of us, is the raising of the Mary Rose, please watch and lsten:
Did old wives have all this knowledge back when your house was designed and then built?
Or were the closest trees a bit easier to chop down, and transport?
Many myths and common misconceptions
Many "old wives' tales" and misconceptions surround the use and preservation of ships timbers.
However, ‘There is a common assumption that the re-use of ‘old ships timbers’ in buildings was a common occurrence in medieval England. However, no well-substantiated archaeological example of such a practice in a standing medieval structure is known.’ (Goodburn 2000, 2, 89).