Hi Pete
Attached is a reference or two on copper sheathing that appeared in the Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology Bulletin some years ago, by Dr Mark Staniforth. We generally talk about the 1840's for the widespread use of copper (Muntz Metal") sheathing on timber ships found in the Australian context. From that date, it appears pretty regularly on merchant vessels, etc. Some key dates from that paper:
1708 Charles Parry approached Royal NAvy with copper sheathing technique
1728 Benjamin Robinson patented copper sheathing system
1740 Nehemiah Champion Brass Lateen sheathing. Most trials rejected by RN.
1761 RN sheathed "Aaarm" frigate
1770 8 RN vessels sheathed, 46 by 1782
1777 first merchant vessel coppered
1830's Muntz developed his alloy of copper and zinc 60/40% 14 year patent from 1832
Widespread export by 1840's/50's
Staniforth, Mark, 1985, 'The introduction and use of copper sheathing: A History', in: Bulletin of the Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology Vol 9:1&2. pp.21-31.
Staniforth, Mark, 1985, 'The copper sheathing and fastenings of the American China Trader RApid 1812', in: Bulletin of the Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology Vol 9:1&2. pp.32-48.
McCarthy, Mike, 1983, 'Ships fastenings: A preliminary Study', in: Bulletin of the Australian Institute for Maritime Archaeology Vol 7 No 1. pp.1-24.
If you can't access these, give me a buzz off list and I can post then to you. Orders for the Bulletin can be placed with AIMA, see our web site at www.aima.iinet.net.au.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Tim Smith
Maritime Archaeology Program
NSW Heritage Office
Sydney Australia
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Can anyone give me the time frame when copper cladding was used on wooden
hulls? In particular, when did the use of copper become popular in the
Northeast US and about when did it get replaced by paints? I know that the
Royal Navy started around the 1770's and some steel warships used a
wood/copper cladding in tropic waters until about 1910 or so. Also, when did
the use of iron fastenings replace copper?
We are looking for an early steamboat in Long Island Sound, the Washington.
The Washington was built in 1825 and sank in 1831. We have found an old wreck
in the approximate position and depth that was reported for the Washington in
local newspapers of the time. The visibility is bad but we have determined
that this ship was copper clad and fastened. With some luck we hope to be
able to do some more dives on the site and determine if there are the remains
of the two engines and copper boilers.
Thanks
Pete Johnson
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