One half of a wooden anchor stock

3D Model

On behalf of Middelgrundsfonden, the Viking Ship Museum has carried out an archaeological survey of a cable trench between Nordhavn and Middelgrundsfortet, off Copenhagen. One half of a very eroded, presumed anchor stock (2883x2) was salvaged and documented. No further cultural remains were found. The stock was made of pine and has been dendrochronologically dated. The timber was felled after AD 1687, most likely in northern or central Sweden. A likely date of its loss off Copenhagen is therefore the first half of the 18th century. A wooden anchor stock is held in place on the iron shank of the anchor by means of a pair of lugs on the shank. This anchor stock – if indeed interpreted correctly – is much more elaborately fashioned: besides mortises for the lugs, two iron bands are set into the wooden stock; presumably to further reinforce the connection and prevent abrasion between the shank and stock, which could make the stock rotate on the shank, compromising the functionality and safe use of the anchor.