Pulley Block EOA:2022.24 OE341

3D Model

Small pulley block from the wreck of the Earl Of Abergavenny.

ID:EOA:2022.24 OE341

Collection: Earl of Abergavenny

Classification: Ship’s structure/function

Measurements: Length 150mm Width 110mm Depth 70mm

Date made: circa late 18th century

Display: not on display

Manufacturer/Creator: as yet unknown

Credit: Portland Museum Trust

Threaded with rope, pulley blocks were used to control a ship’s sails and rigging as well as for loading / unloading cargo.

At the the time the Earl of Abergavenny sank in 1805, pulley blocks were made by craftsmen leading to inconsistencies in sizes, quality and effectiveness, as can be seen by recovered examples. Standardisation was still very new - the world’s first steam powered production line at Portsmouth was working up to full production for the Royal Navy.

For more information about Portland Museum’s Diving into the Digital Archives of the Earl of Abergavenny project click here