What are these ?

[woodyapex]

While diving a wreck the other day we pulled up these .
I've worked out what they are now but does anyone else know ?

Sorry for the location of this post but the laptop and phone give 2 different forum views . Where I wanted to put it is not on the phone . Any how .

[tuffr2]

Don't know for sure but I would guess a possible old old firearm. I say that because one piece looks like the hammer.

Sent from my SM-G360V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[woodyapex]

I thought the same to start with but they were too "lead like " I now know to be probably pewter or similar .
Another photo here to look at .

[tkeithlu]

So, what are they? Hey, I try to stay positive on posts, but I've got enough archeologist friends to feel the need to ask you not to loot marine archeology sites. Remember "Leave bubbles, take photographs?"

[TurninTurtle]

Depends on location as to legality of taking "souvenirs" from a wreck. With no location given...I'll assume he's OK.

Knowing a bit more about the age of the wreck might help identify the items. Or you could just send the picture to a naval museum and they should know right off and ID the age of the wreck from the items.

[woodyapex]

A friend into antiques finally twigged so a quick google turned up this image . They are taps for barrels.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by TurninTurtle

Depends on location as to legality of taking "souvenirs" from a wreck. With no location given...I'll assume he's OK.

Knowing a bit more about the age of the wreck might help identify the items. Or you could just send the picture to a naval museum and they should know right off and ID the age of the wreck from the items.

legality <> morality

[TurninTurtle]

For thousands of years... salvage of materials from any wreck was finders=keepers.

Its only relatively recently (appx mid 1800's) that there's been any other rules dealing with shipwrecks.

Prohibitions vs diving on and gathering items from shipwrecks is a 20th century development.

Which is better for learning history? Leaving the stuff deep under water or recovering it for study?

After just a few weeks, months or years (depending on where) sea creatures will have eaten all the bodies.

[MarkJ]

I would like to think the original poster will replace these items in the wreck.
Then others may enjoy them too.

Even a few days exposure to air may affect them so i hope he does it soon

[woodyapex]

They were photographed on the boat and thrown back anyhow!
But bye ek we need to have a word with Mel fisher .
After all at least you guys have got to see these , Id say 99.9 percent would never have any how.
What about the millions that see the Atothia treasure every year.
Should we throw that back ??

Your swimming along and see a gold coin ? All the people berating me, would you remove it from the ocean/off the wreck and take it home??

Or would you go " oh look gold coin , ill leave that for someone to find "

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by woodyapex

They were photographed on the boat and thrown back anyhow!

Great! Thankyou!


As for moral dilemmas. I have morals so i have no dilemmas.

[Snore]

All have a tapered end, what appears a place for a valve and a 90.

Could they be cask spigots?

Glad you put them back.

I agree gold coins, precious stones, silver are another thing. Would be hard pressed to envision anyone swimming away from a doubloon.


Sent from my iPhone- please forgive autocorrect errors.

[Tingum]

Easy, dem be tingums

[reed1v]

Those are doohickys.

[Kayoko Monk 33]

Bottom center one certainly looks like a rail fitting made of cast pot metal, if all found in the same area I would venture to say an old boat was sunk or scuttled and you found its remains, almost see the allen type set screws