2012:620 - Blackhall, Wexford

Monitoring of construction-related groundworks was undertaken at this site in response to planning conditions. Previous monitoring was undertaken by Emmet Stafford (Excavations 2011, No. 839). No features or deposits of archaeological significance were uncovered during monitoring of groundworks, however one notable artefact, a futtock, was recovered from the demolition of the 19th-century dwelling house which stood on the site. The futtock had been used as a mantel.
The futtock (part of the framing rib of a large timber sailing vessel), measures 2.06m in length but is broken at one end. It is 0.27m high and a maximum of 0.24m wide. The unbroken end narrows to a squared face. Overall, the timber has a distinct ‘rocker’-like curve.
The timber is pierced by a number of well-bored holes measuring 35mm in diameter. Some of the holes are through-bored all the way through the timber and some go about halfway through. All the holes come from the ‘top’ down roughly in line with the timber’s perceived vertical axis. Several of the holes contain the remnants of substantial dowels (treenails).
The piece is roughly rectangular in section and appears to have been sawn into shape. One side of the timber has been chamfered at roughly 45° to its vertical axis along a large part of its length. Saw marks are evident on three of the faces, and a series of fourteen small round-headed nails with a diameter of 6mm, set approximately 0.09m apart, are visible on the painted face of the futtock. On face D there is a 55mm protruding nail with an 8mm-square shank with a 14mm round-topped head. On this face there is also a 10mm-deep recess for fixing of the adjacent timber.
The futtock was recovered from the demolition of a building which is likely to have dated to the later part of the 19th century. The location of the site c. 300m from a rocky beach on the inner curve of Ballyteigue Bay may suggest that the timber originated from a shipwreck.

Stafford McLoughlin Archaeology, Coolballow, Drinagh, Wexford