2026-09-10T18:15:04+01:00https://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/jsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/xmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/rsshttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/atomhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/kmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/geojsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/qrcodehttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results58310finds-173173MAS-D100173CLOCKNINETEENTH CENTURYThis record refers to the clock parts recovered as part of a group of finds. The finder described the items as 6 clock parts, the square glass from the clock face and the copper clock face from a grandfather clock, which suggests these finds represent parts of two separate clocks. Three of the clock parts, manufactured in a copper alloy, are circular and bear teeth around their circumference indicating they are part of the clockwork mechanism. Two other parts, also in copper alloy, are circular but without evidence of teeth. One has three screw holes arranged around a central circular aperture and a ridge running around its circumference. The verdigris corrosion on this item only affects one half of the object, suggesting that it has been partially protected whilst on the seabed. The remaining item is considerably more corroded, though it still appears to be made from a copper alloy. It comprises a hollow circle with a band dividing the central aperture in equal halves, opposite the end of this band are two circular fixing points with screw holes attached to the outside central circular element. The central band has a square hole in its centre, which is unlikely to be much more than 5 mm across. There is an additional element that obscures the upper half of the central circular element which cannot be accurately described from the object. The sixth clock part described by the finder is a flat copper alloy plate with a minimum of 18 holes drilled into it in addition to two square, one rectangular and one open rectangular aperture/s. At the top of the item is what appears to be a latch or clip. This object appears to be part of the mounting for the mechanism, and several of the drilled holes bear the shadows of where bolts and screws would have been attached. Most notably though is the inscription S Thomas, Thomaston C, US which can be observed. This refers to the manufacturer of the time piece, the Seth Thomas Clock Company, details of which are described in the next section. A square piece of glass is described by the finder as being the clock face associated with the clock parts described above. Consultation online with examples of clocks manufactured by S Thomas support this use for the glass, as some of their models do have square faces. The final object relating to clocks is a large oval ring of copper alloy which is described by the finder as the clock face from a grandfather clock. Its size, in comparison to the glass face, would certainly suggest it is from a different larger time piece. To the bottom right of the photograph it is possible to observe a hinge on the outside of the ring, whilst diametrically opposite a possible catch can be seen. These features suggest an opening element, presumably holding an oval glass clock face, may have attached to the recovered item. No other diagnostic features are immediately apparent from the photo provided.All of these items were recovered from the wreck of SS Pomerania, a German ocean liner steamer built in 1873 by J. Caird & Co., in Greenock. This vessel was one of many owned by the Hamburg Amerikanische Packetfahrt Actien Gesellschaft (HAPAG); a transatlantic shipping enterprise established in Hamburg in 1847 that transported hundreds of thousands of emigrants from Germany, Scandinavia, and eastern Europe to the United States, Canada, Latin America, and other destinations around the world. The ship sank in 1878, 5 miles SE of Folkestone whilst carrying 109 passengers and 111 crew en route from New York to Cherbourg and Hamburg, last from Plymouth, following a collision with Welsh barque Moel Eilian and resulting in the loss of 55 lives. NRHE and Kent HER reference numbers cited in this record refer to the wreck of SS Pomerania. Seth Thomas Clock Company - One of the clock pieces identified from this find bears the inscription S Thomas, Thomaston C, US. Seth Thomas (1785-1859) was a clock maker from Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, USA. He began making clocks at his site in 1814 and established the company in 1853, which was passed to his sons and continued as a family business into the 20th century. In 1931 the company became a subsidiary of the General Time Instruments Corporation and eventually passed from family control, General Time announced its closure in 2001. Shortly after the death of the company's founder in 1865, the town of Plymouth Hollow was renamed Thomaston in his honour. This then firmly dates the manufacture of this clock to between 1865 and 1878 when the Pomerania sank. (http://www.nationalclockrepair.com/Seth_Thomas_Clock_History.php accessed January 2020). These items were found with a spoon/fork handle (MAS-D100174), a decorative lead object (MAS-D100146) and crockery fragments ( MAS-D100138).S THOMAS/THOMASTON C/USMEASUREMENT393923186518781320/173MAS2018-03-26T00:00:00ZAn instrument used to measure the passing of time.883110Kent HER Number: TR 33 SW 26With finder2018-05-02T10:10:08Z2020-04-09T12:32:54Z173172315PAS5C5037EF001C03218210KentTR232951.017114981.17805502devoting.snowstorm.sobbing10MAS MASMASCopper alloy10627IncompletePoorNINETEENTH CENTURYMiddleLateNINETEENTH CENTURYDiving173_IMG_6351.jpg434images/MASPT2024-10-09T14:16:54.082Zfinds-174174MAS-D100174CUTLERYNINETEENTH CENTURYThis record refers to the handle of a metal spoon or fork included within this group of finds. The diagnostic end of the piece is broken and therefore is uncertain whether this is a fork or spoon, and a lack of measurements precludes determining whether this is a tea or desert size in terms of spoon , or cake or main course size of fork. The fabric of the item, though slightly coroded, has a yellowish colour which may indicate gold or gold plating has been used in its manufacture. Alternatively, given the verdigris colour of the corrosion, may have been constructed in a copper alloy or have had silver plating which can also corrode to a similar colour. There may be a hallmark or makers mark stamped on the back of the object that may shed more light on where it was manufactured. The date of this item is given by the wreck from which it was recovered, which sank in 1878.All of these items were recovered from the wreck of SS Pomerania, a German ocean liner steamer built in 1873 by J. Caird & Co., in Greenock. This vessel was one of many owned by the Hamburg Amerikanische Packetfahrt Actien Gesellschaft (HAPAG); a transatlantic shipping enterprise established in Hamburg in 1847 that transported hundreds of thousands of emigrants from Germany, Scandinavia, and eastern Europe to the United States, Canada, Latin America, and other destinations around the world. The ship sank in 1878, 5 miles SE of Folkestone whilst carrying 109 passengers and 111 crew en route from New York to Cherbourg and Hamburg, last from Plymouth, following a collision with Welsh barque Moel Eilian and resulting in the loss of 55 lives. NRHE and Kent HER reference numbers cited in this record refer to the wreck of SS Pomerania. This item was found with a clock (MAS-D100173), a decorative lead object (MAS-D100146) and crockery fragments (MAS-D100138).Spoon39391878320/173MAS2018-03-26T00:00:00Z883110Kent HER Number: TR 33 SW 262018-05-02T10:10:08Z2020-03-26T16:10:28Z174172415PAS5C5037EF001C03218210KentTR232951.017114981.17805502devoting.snowstorm.sobbing10MAS MASMASCopper alloy10627IncompleteCorrodedNINETEENTH CENTURYNINETEENTH CENTURYDiving174_IMG_6351.jpg741images/MASPT2024-10-09T14:16:54.32Zfinds-133133MAS-D100133BOTTLESPOST MEDIEVALTwo clear glass fruit bottles, one ornate green glass wine bottle, one tall brown wine bottle with glass hexagonal base (94 stamped on base) and one black glass bottle. The fruit bottles are 280 mm long and 70 mm wide. One appears to be more encrusted and discoloured than the other, but both are consistent in their shape. They possess straight bodies, abrubtly curving shoulders and straight necks running to applied finishes. One is still stoppered and contains what appears to be olives. Both are indicative of fruit bottles in style and shape. The two wine bottles differ in appearance. The first is made from clear green and ornately decorated glass, with spiralling exhibitned from the shoulders and up the neck. It is 300 mm long and 60 mm wide, with straight sides and gradually sloping shoulders to a straight neck before a wine finish. The second bottle is cruder in appearance. The dark brown/black glass in encrusted with marine biofauna, and its shape is slightly warped to the left in the photograph. The sides are straight, but the shoulders are seemingly absent, as the entire 380 mm length of the bottle appears to slope right down to the finish. At its base '94' is stamped, which could mean it is dated from 1894 (1994 and 1794 unlikely for this style of bottle). Both bottles are still stoppered. The final bottle has straight sides, very pronounced and acutely rounded shoulders, a slightly bulging neck and a ringed finish with cork still intact. The bottle is squat in profile, with a length of 230 mm and a width of 80 mm. This style is indicative of port bottles, and as such the bottle could contain liquor.These items were found with one stoneware salt glazed jar​ ​(MAS-D100132), three stoneware bottles (MAS-D100156) and part of a metal fork (MAS-D100134)​.Container39411894316/173MAS2017-10-18T00:00:00ZStorage container. Food and liquid storage containerWith finder2017-10-23T17:13:40Z2020-03-27T15:17:55Z13311814414115PAS5C50379B001E6C2MAS MASMASGlass10879Wood11988BlownCompleteFairNINETEENTH CENTURYMODERNx41047Diving156_IMG_3550Large.JPG357images/MASRobbie Trevelyan2024-10-09T14:16:43.613Zfinds-132132MAS-D100132INK BOTTLENINETEENTH CENTURYOne stoneware ink bottle. Ink bottles or inkwells were made of various materials including glass, various metals, various stones, various woods, horn, ceramics and stoneware, and even hard rubber. Prior to beginning of the 19th century, virtually all ink came in ceramic containers which were still commonly used throughout most of the 19th century. Stoneware bottles were superseded by glass bottles by the first decade of the 20th century. Ink bottles of this size are known as the bulk or master ink bottles (https://sha.org/bottle/household.htm, accessed March 2020). The master bottles usually have a pouring lip or spout that would be used to distribute the ink in to smaller wells (Hume 2001), although that lip is not present on this example. Brown ink bottles without a spout, like this discovery, date from the 1850s to 1880s.This item was found with two clear glass fruit bottles, one ornate green glass wine bottle, one black glass bottle, one tall brown wine bottle with a hexagonal base (MAS-D100133), a handle of a metal fork/spoon (MAS-D100134)​ and three stoneware salt glazed jars​ ​(MAS-D100156).Written communications39391316/173MAS2017-10-18T00:00:00ZWriting and drawing equipmentWith finder2017-10-23T17:13:40Z2020-03-30T13:57:21Z13220015284215PAS5989C577001EA7PAS5989C577001EA72MAS MASMASCeramic10539CompleteGoodNINETEENTH CENTURYNINETEENTH CENTURYDivingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of Wreck156_IMG_3558Large.JPG360images/MASLR2024-10-09T14:16:43.368Zfinds-156156MAS-D100156BOTTLENINETEENTH CENTURYThree salt glazed stoneware bottles. This form of bottle was a type used to carry seltzer water and gin. Seltzer water was exported by various Continental (mainly German) spas. The term 'seltzer' takes its name from the town of Selters in the lower Rhineland, one of the original producers of effervescent mineral waters. This cylindrical bottle type was used from the early 19th century through to the First World War and were produced by the specialist potters known as Krugbacker, or pot bakers, in the Westerwald region of Germany. These bottles, which changed little throughout the 19th century, were slender and cylindrical and colored reddish brown with straight, vertical sides (NMSC Archaeology & Museum Blog webpage accessed November 2017). ​These types of stonewear bottles are also associated with gin exportation from continental distilleries, mainly Amsterdam. Bottles were often stamped with marks indicating the bottling company, therefore any obvious marking could help in distinguishing whether these particular bottles carried seltzer water or gin.These items were found with one stoneware salt glazed jar​ ​(MAS-D100132), two clear glass fruit bottles, one ornate green glass wine bottle, one black glass bottle, one tall brown wine bottle with a hexagonal base (MAS-D100133) and part of a metal fork/spoon (MAS-D100134)​.CONTAINER39411316/173MAS2017-10-18T00:00:00ZFOOD AND LIQUID STORAGE CONTAINERWith finder2017-10-23T17:13:40Z2020-03-30T13:58:26Z15632035284514PAS5989C577001EA7PAS5989C577001EA72MAS MASMASCeramic10539CompleteEncrustedNINETEENTH CENTURYMODERNFishingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of Wreck156_IMG_3562.JPG355images/MASLR2024-10-09T14:16:49.757Zfinds-128128MAS-D100128HINGENINETEENTH CENTURYThis record refers to the metal hinge and attached timber shown in the top left corner of image one, the other finds are dealt with under separate records. The object is approximately 305 mm in overall length and 204 mm in overall width. For the hinge element of the object only one leaf can be observed from the photo, which measures approximately 64 mm by 127 mm. Given the leaves are likely to be identical in size, this would suggest the overall width is approximately 127 mm making a regular square when fully opened. The metal of the hinge is in generally good condition, with some blue/green discolouration suggestive of a copper alloy such as brass. The hinge is of a common type known as a butt hinge, with five interlocking knuckles secured through the centre by a pin or pen. The visible leaf bears five holes for affixing the hinge, and it is likely the obscured side bears a similar number. The number of fixing holes suggests a heavy duty use for the hinge, such as a door, rather than use in lighter items such as furniture. The wooden elements of the hinge are highly degraded and encrusted with barnacles, its function is therefore undiscernible. There does appear to be an element of beading or a baton in wood, immediately attached to the hinge leaf. Protruding from beneath the beading and running away from the hinge is a section of wood with apparently parallel edges, approximately 89 mm wide, that although heavily damaged may represent a narrow plank. This suggests that the moving element of the object, such as a door or hatch, was attached to the obscured leaf, with the other attached to the stationary element such as a door frame. Butt hinges were manufactured from around 1850 and are one of the most common forms of hinge in use today.These items were found with two bowls (MAS-D100127), two bottles (MAS-D100129), one mug (MAS-D100130), and one copper lid (MAS-D100150).Fixing39411312/173MAS2017-09-30T00:00:00ZWith finder2017-10-09T15:46:29Z2020-04-22T18:03:01Z128204305171428215PAS5C5037EF001C03PAS5989C577001EA72MAS MASMASCopper alloy10627Wood11988IncompleteNINETEENTH CENTURYMODERNDivingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of Wreck128_allmaterial.JPG754images/MASPT2024-10-09T14:16:42.43Zfinds-129129MAS-D100129BOTTLESPOST MEDIEVALTwo bottles with dark glass. Both appear to be 250 mm from finish to base and 50 mm in diameter. One bottle is dark green and the other black. Both have been encrusted and marked with biological activity, which could be mistaken for ornate symbols and badges. Neither are corked or stoppered. Both are very similar in style with straight bodies, rounded and slightly abrupt shoulders that lead into slightly bulging necks before an applied wine finish. From this shape and size, both bottles are assumed to be wine bottles, or perhaps liquor bottles from the 19-20th century. The finish of the bottles is what's known as a packer finish. The primary diagnostic feature of the packer finish is that it has the same diameter from top to bottom (no flare) and is moderately tall. The outside surface of the finish is generally flat, though can sometimes be very slightly concave or convex. The packer finish can be found on just about any type or class of bottle that held liquid or semi-liquid products. This style of finish can also be found on bottles dating from the mid-19th century through the early machine-made bottle era (i.e, up through the 1920s). Thus, the style by itself has little utility for either dating or typing (https://sha.org/bottle/finishstyles.htm#English%20Ring Accessed March 2020). If the bottles have kicked bases, it would indicate a wine bottle, while a flat base would indicate a beer bottle.This items was found with two bowls (MAS-D100127), one brass hinge (MAS-D100128), one ceramic mug (MAS-D100130) and one copper lid (MAS-D100150).3941312/173MAS2017-09-30T00:00:00Z2017-10-09T15:46:29Z2020-03-27T15:16:52Z12950250118414515PAS5C50379B001E6C2MAS MASMASGlass10879BlownCompleteEncrustedNINETEENTH CENTURYMODERNx41047Diving129_allmaterial.JPG756images/MASRobbie Trevelyan2024-10-09T14:16:42.663Zfinds-150150MAS-D100150LIDMODERNOne copper item, thought to be a lid by discoverer. It is around 180 mm in diameter with greenish brown discolouration from the oxidising of the copper. At its centre there is a raised disc that has been possibly beaten out of the original shape. This circular embossed disc is approximately 90 mm in diameter and has a small circular aperture in its centre (roughly 10 mm diameter). Other than a lid, the item could be a lamp shade of some sort or a hub of some wheeled apparatus.This items was found with two bowls (MAS-D100127), one brass hinge (MAS-D100128), one brown bottle and one clear bottle (MAS-D100129) and one ceramic mug a (MAS-D100130).UNASSIGNED3941312/173MAS2017-09-30T00:00:00ZDOMED LID2017-10-09T15:46:29Z2020-03-27T15:26:58Z1501801533415PAS5C50379B001E6C2MAS MASMASCopper10626UncertainCorrodedNINETEENTH CENTURYMODERNDiving150_copperlid.JPG759images/MASRobbie Trevelyan2024-10-09T14:16:48.14Zfinds-115115MAS-D100115CARTRIDGENINETEENTH CENTURYImages of this find were sent to Trevor Parker of the Ordnance Society. He confirmed that these three shell cases belong to a six-pounder Hotchkiss gun. This particular type of gun was introduced in 1884 for use against torpedo boats. They were used during First World War on the Arethusa and early 'C' class cruisers and a few submarines as well as on Monitors M.15 through M.33. Originally French in origin, they were introduced to Britain in 1886 (Tucker 2013). Many were subsequently used as sub-calibre and saluting guns which meant that they were still available in 1939 (Naval Weapons, Naval Technology and Naval reunions webpage, accessed September 2017). Although these cartridges are empty, there is a good chance that their primers are live.The evidence for this is that they all have their primer protectors in place.These are three-legged covers that clip over the base and have a domed area in the middle that sits over the primer in the middle of the case bottom, to prevent accidental striking of the primer before it's loaded (War Office 2003). The edges of these clips are visible on all three cases and would have been removed before firing. This raises the question of where the shells have gone if they were not fired. The shells would have been held firmly in place therefore it has been suggested that these shell cases are of some age, dating back to the early 1900s, shortly after this type of gun appeared and that the actual shells have rusted away completely.These items were recovered from the wreck of SS Unity, a British transport steamship built in 1902 by Murdoch & Murray, Glasgow. On 2 May 1918, whilst on a voyage from Newhaven to Calais with a cargo of ordnance, SS Unity was sunk by the German submarine UB57, with the loss of 12 lives. NRHE and Kent HER reference numbers cited in this record refer to the wreck of SS Unity. The location of SS Unity was taken from the British National Grid co-ordinate from the National Record of the Historic Environment.Armour and weapons39411236/173MAS2017-08-26T00:00:00ZAmmunition901741Kent HER Number: TR 21 NE 1With finder2017-09-08T08:39:56Z2017-10-05T11:37:37Z11534037284515PAS5989C577001EA7PAS59C90C510011A3218210KentTR261750.908207411.21330846cramped.inflatables.couriers10MAS MASMASCopper alloy10627CompleteEncrustedNINETEENTH CENTURYMODERNDivingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of WreckIMG_2984.JPG307images/MASLR2024-10-09T14:16:38.973Zfinds-106106MAS-F100106LADDERNINETEENTH CENTURYThese two timbers are two components of a companion ladder. The larger piece measures 1.14 m long by 0.15 m wide and based on the visible ridges to accommodate the stairs, would have been the left-hand side banister of the ladder. The smaller piece measures 0.56 m wide and is 20 mm thick. This piece is one of the stairs that would have fitted between both banisters and still slots in to one of the grooves on the remaining banister. The join is step and groove radiused rather than square cut. Companion ladders or a companion way is usually steep but has treads or stairs rather than rungs typically seen on a ladder. Weight can be spread over a much larger area than concentrated on the surface of the small rungs of a ladder therefore it is possible to carry much heavier loads up and down these ladders. Companionways on modern vessels now tend to be made of aluminium, however on wooden sailing vessels and fishing vessels, wooden ladders may still be used, therefore it is difficult to date these pieces.Tools and equipment39411222/173MAS2017-08-23T00:00:00ZCompanion ladderWith finder2017-08-23T08:31:10Z2018-05-08T08:40:53Z10621428114PAS57C96ECD001E82PAS57C96ECD001E8222625East SussexTQ440050.781702980.04126088pastels.dash.stockpile10MAS MASMASWood11988FragmentNINETEENTH CENTURYMODERNFishingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of WreckFIPAD_2017081767.JPG254images/MASABB2024-10-09T14:16:36.661Z