Beech wood marlingspike from the Dauphine (1704). The discovery of several of these aboard ship, each with its own distinctive markings, shows that they were probably owned by individual crew members. (Ref. : Nat 0522)
Beech wood marlingspike from the Dauphine (1704). The discovery of several of these aboard ship, each with its own distinctive markings, shows that they were probably owned by individual crew members. (Ref. : Nat 0522)
Gimlet handle bearing the initials WD, no doubt the initials of its owner. The two wrecks contained no fewer than seven such handles, proof of how useful they were aboard ship. (Ref. : Nat 2214_4)
Larding-needle, wreck of the Dauphine (1704). Four such utensils were found aboard the wreck; they were used to insert bits of lard beneath the skin of pieces of meat prior to roasting them. (Ref. : Nat 1651)
Barrel stave, wreck of the Aimable Grenot (1749). This stave is engraved with the word "BEVRE", which no doubt should be read "BEURE", or butter. It was found at the very fore end of the ship, and perhaps indicates the existence of a barrel of butter, no doubt brought aboard for cooking purposes. (Ref. : Nat 2709)
Base of a barrel, found at the very fore end of the Aimable Grenot (1749). The inscription "LYME" perhaps refers to the fact that it once held lemons. (Ref. : Nat 2727)
Pipe and its pistol-shaped holder from the Dauphine (1704). The pipe was deliberately shortened to fit the sculpted wooden holder – no doubt made by a member of the crew. Some three hundred years after its creation, it embodies almost symbolically two of the favourite activities of sailors the world over: smoking and whittling. (Ref. : Nat1158_2)
Barrel stave end inscribed with the image of a ship. Wreck of the Dauphine. The engraving was probably done by one of the sailors aboard ship. (Ref. : Nat 1295)
Bowl made from a coconut that was recut and polished. The excavation of the Dauphine (1704) turned up a number of coconuts, probably brought back from long-haul voyages, which had been transformed by sailors by sailors into recipients. (Ref. : nat1408_1)
Two sheep metapodes displaying traces of polishing and sculpting. Wreck of the Dauphine (1704). Bones from the meat eaten by the crew provided, like wood, a perfect material for sculpting small objects. (Ref. : Nat 1695)
Whistle made from the shaft of a ruminant tibia that has been shortened and polished. The object was partially sealed by two wax plugs. When it was found, it was still in working condition. (Ref. : Nat 1393)
Shallow green-glazed plate with religious medallion, wreck of the Dauphine (1704). On the inside bottom one can see relief inscriptions: a letter H topped by a cross, surrounded by the letters DV.MOSNEMI.D. (Ref. : Nat 1943)
Handled bowl, wreck of the Aimable Grenot (1749). Mass-produced in workshops in southwestern France, the distinctive feature of this lead-glazed bowl is a Christian cross moulded onto one of its handles. (Ref. : Nat 2424_1)
Knife with a wooden handle and a curved iron blade, wreck of the Aimable Grenot (1749). This might be an amputation knife used by the ship's doctor. (Ref. : Nat 2944)
Spouted pitcher made of Normandy stoneware, wreck of the L'Aimable Grenot (1749). While sifting its contents, the team discovered several hundred plant seeds. They were analysed by Véronique Matterne (Inrap/Cravo, UMR 7041 Arscan) and were found to be from the Solanaceae family, most likely the Capsicum genus (which includes chili and bell peppers), originally from subtropical South America. (Ref. : Nat 854)
TO Pipes from the Dauphine (1704). Clay pipes are a very common find on modern and contemporary shipwrecks, to the point where they can be used as dating tools, since they have a very short lifespan. The initials "TO", found on five pipes from the Dauphine (1704), could be those of the master pipe-maker Thomas Owen, who was active in Bristol between 1698 and 1725. (Ref. : Nat 120 et 326)
Bones from a macaque that were discovered in the kitchen area of the Dauphine (1704). This young Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus) was the only known victim of the shipwreck. It was less than six months old. (Ref. : Nat122)
Tobacco grater in the shape of a boat, found aboard the Dauphine (1704). Carved from a barrel stave, this small object, whose grater has disappeared, probably belonged to one of the crew members. (Ref. : Nat 1382)
View of the external face of one of the three small oak panels found beneath the starboard flank of the Dauphine, and used to close off the rowing ports. (Ref. : Nat 2011_1)
View of the external face of one of the three small oak panels found beneath the starboard flank of the Dauphine, and used to close off the rowing ports. The remains of an iron hook can still be seen in the concretion. (Ref. : Nat 2011_7)
The sculpted element, found in 2007, has been identified as a fragment of a three-cornered hat, which was immediately associated with the ship's figurehead, which we know thanks to a fortuitous mention in the archives. This find led to another round of archaeological prospecting around the wreck. Unfortunately, the effigy of Charles Grenot was not located during the 2008 campaign. It is very likely, since the archives make no mention of the figurehead being recovered, that it is still beneath the sands of La Natière, not far from the wreck, or just beneath it. (Ref. : Nat 2860_13)
Photo of a copper alloy candlestick found aboard the Dauphine (1704). It measures 12.8cm high, and has a square base into whose corners are cut small oblique faces. Decorative moulding has been added to the candle-ring.
(Nat 1450)
White faience ointment pot, wreck of the Aimable Grenot (1749). It is comparable to pieces made in Rouen. It was used to hold medicine aboard ship. (Nat 0584)