Accession Number

1992.001.0064

Alternate object names

Tampion

Creation Date

circa 1700

Description

This is a round wood plug with a rope fragment through the center. It was removed from the muzzle of the North cannon (1992.001.0065).

Exhibition Label

This tampion is a plug from the muzzle of a cannon recovered from the wreck of the 1700 slave ship Henrietta Marie. It was designed to keep out water and debris out of the gun’s bore so it wouldn’t corrode or foul. The fact that the cannon was plugged is an indicator that it was idle and not readied for firing. The piece is made of wood, and it is approximately 6.7 centimeters in diameter and 3.4 cm thick. It has a knot of hemp twine protruding from its inside face, a remnant of the cord that was used to pull it out of the cannon. The exterior face of the tampion is deteriorated.