Schiedam: Compass weight from the Shiedam Prize

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This lead weight was recovered by divers from the 1684 wreck of the Schiedam. From its form, it was identified as a stabiliser for the main steering compass of the ship. A weight would have been needed to limit swinging of the compass in heavy seas (information at Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown).

The lead is round with a slightly domed profile, and different textures on its under and upper surfaces. It measures around 11cm across and is up to 1.5cm thick. It is in very good, fresh condition, probably because it was protected by casing, unless it was a spare which was carefully stored.

3D scanned by Tom Goskar (@tomgoskar) as part of the Wreck and Rescue at Gunwalloe project commissioned by Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU) and funded by Historic England to mark the 50th anniversary of the Protection of Wrecks Act, 1973.