found under the old bed of the river Rother. 59 



since its exposure to the atmosphere, is entirely decomposed, 

 and falls off as dust on the slightest touch ; the seams and pro- 

 jecting edges of the planks are filled with pitch, which remains 

 almost in its original state. The iron which has been exposed 

 to the action of moisture is very much enlarged by oxidation, 

 and breaks with facility, but in all cases where covered with 

 pitch, it is most perfect, and not in the least corroded. This is 

 an important fact. 



It is much to be regretted that many of the contrivances and 

 fittings have been disturbed, and either destroyed, or so mu- 

 tilated as to make it impossible to restore her to the state in 

 which she was first found. There were originally two short 

 decks ; the one aft remains, that forward has been taken up ; 

 the opening between the deck aft and the next beam was co- 

 vered with a kind of arched tilt, beneath which was probably 

 the place for cooking, from the situation of the fire-place and 

 the utensils found there. 



The space between the after-beam and the deck forward 

 was open ; but several stanchions were found standing morticed 

 upon the beams, from which it is obvious that there had been 

 a covering over this part of the vessel also ; and from some ra- 

 betted boards inclining inwards and upwards, still attached to 

 the sides, we may conclude, that the covering was either atched, 

 or met at an angle in the centre like a roof. 



There are carlings at the sides, and scores in the beams in 

 midships, evidently to receive a covering, but no gratings or 

 hatches have been found. 



The manner in which the rudder was managed is rather cu- 

 rious, and I owe it to chance that I discovered the method. In 

 examining some pieces of wood which had been taken from the 

 vessel, I observed a beam of singular construction that had 

 been removed from the topside aft, and by some bevelling scores 

 in its ends it was clear that a plank sheer had dropped into 

 them, which was afterwards found and replaced. 



A dumb roller is turned upon the middle of the beam, and 

 on each side of the sternpost, and at about a foot below the 

 gunwale are two holes through the side of the vessel, and one 

 also in the after part of the rudder, through which most pro- 

 bably the rudder was yoked. I cannot tell exactly in what way 



