By Mr. Cunnington, F.G.S. 225 



the remains handed over to Sir E. 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 inside 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, ^ } 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 m 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 it could not be withdrawn, and as the.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 



