Henry Chisholm Site Interpretation

Although there is nothing to penetrate on the site, touring the Chisholm wreckage affords a chance to see how the wooden bulk freighters were constructed.  The decks of these bulk freighters rested on shelves, which were in turn supported by hanging knees.  The shelves and knees can easily be seen on the sides of the ship.  The heavy bulwark or rail is visible just above the upper shelf for the spar deck.  The most distinctive feature of the bottom of the ship is of course the heavy keelson, which is the inside portion of the keel.  Flanking each side of and parallel to the keelson are six bilge keelsons.  These heavy timbers supported the "ceiling" or the bottom of the cargo holds.  If you look on the outer edge of the ceiling near the "turn of the bilge" you will notice the heavy planking on the inside of the hull.  These were called thick strakes and were used to strengthen the "turn of the bilge" which was inherently the weakest part of these box-shaped hulls.  Lying between the hull bottom and port side sections near the after end, lies the anchor windlass and anchor.  Only the wooden stock of the anchor is visible since the rest of the anchor is hidden under the wreck.  Near the anchor also lies a reciprocating pump most likely from the Chisholm.

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