The metal sheathing of wooden ships. Historical and archaeological insights into the transfer of technology between Spain and the Spanish American territories (late-18th to mid-19th century)

ARANO, DIANA; BETHENCOURT NÚÑEZ, MANUEL; CIARLO, NICOLÁS C.; CARRASCO, GUADALUPE; BARBA-MEINECKE, HELENA

Praga

Congreso; 9th World Archaeological Congress (WAC-9); 2022

GUARANT International

During the 18th Century and the dawn of the 19th Century, political, economic and social events took place, triggering international conflicts between the European states for their overseas territories and its wealth. In this framework, naval construction was focused on increase the quality of wooden vessels for the Atlantic sailing, aiming to face the conditions of tropical waters. For instance, the protection of the ship’s bottoms from the action of wood-boring organisms was an essential measure. The use of metal sheathing had certain implications on the structural elements, in particular the introduction of copper-base hull’ fastenings. The studies developed in metallurgy and mining, combined with historical research and characterization of archaeological remains from shipwrecks, allowed assessing the main technological features and chronology of metal sheets and fastenings from the period. The transfer of technology between Great Britain, France and Spain, was a complex process, conditioned by the political conflicts and the social situation that prevailed during the second half of the 18th Century. From this perspective, as the prelude of the independence movements in the American territories, some preliminary data will be presented related to the transmission of the technology of copper-base fastenings and sheathing to the Spanish American territories during late colonial and early independence periods.