Small Pulley Block: EOA:2022.24

Small pulley block from the wreck of the Earl Of Abergavenny. ID:EOA:2022.24 Collection: Earl of Abergavenny Classification: Ship’s structure/function Measurements: Diameter 118mm Depth 78mm 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. You can read more information here: http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=103 For more information about the Earl of Abergavenny project: portlandmuseum.co.uk/news