PSs 
- 
7 
By Mr. Cunnington, F.G.S. 225 
the remains handed over to Sir R. C. Hoare are still preserved, 
and not much the worse for the neglect of nearly three-fourths of a 
century. This encouraged an attempt to restore the vessel, and a 
large wooden frame of the size given by Sir R. C. Hoare having 
been obtained for the purpose, the various fragments were attached 
to it, and a restoration made which has at least the merit of ex- 
hibiting the ornamentation and fittings, in their original relative 
positions. 
The further examination of these remains, during the process of 
restoration, has brought to light some facts which will here be 
recorded. 
The vessel itself was made of planks or staves of deal (not oak), 
and was constructed with much skill. The upright staves of the 
sides were fastened together with square dowells ; some fragments 
of the wood are preserved showing this mode of construction. 
Three iron hoops secured it on the outside, and on a level with the 
-brim on the iaside another iron hoop was added, to assist in keeping 
the staves in place. The middle hoop was supported by a close 
row of the bronze-headed nails by which the bronze plaques were 
attached, as will be seen in the engraving. 
Two of the staves projected above the others (as seen in the 
engraving), one on each side; they were not intended to serve as 
handles, but to hold the ends of the long bar of iron which fastened 
the lid of the vessel. This bar is hollow, and square in section 
formed of two long strips of iron beaten up at the edges, and 
overlapped, thus, ; i There was originally a wooden cover, 
fitting within the edge to the depth of about a quarter of an inch. 
It was formed of boards placed at right angles to the bar; on these 
were fixed thick strips of wood, parallel with the bar, and covering 
it over. After the bar was passed through the holes in the two 
projecting staves the ends were spread out by hammering, so that 
it could not be withdrawn, and as the strips above-mentioned would 
prevent any sideway movement of the cover, it would be effectually 
fastened. That this was the mode adopted there can be little 
doubt, for, although the lid itself does not now exist, the traces of 
