Find Spot record 847 - Oakmere Logboat

An oak logboat was found during over-extraction of water from Oakmere on 28.9.1935. It was resting on glacial gravel and silt. It was excavated soon afterwards and placed in the Grosvenor Museum. No datable material was found with the boat. Possibly belongs to Fox's Group III or IV (1). Only datable example of Group IV is probably medieval (2). Examined by McGrail 1974. Wood no longer sound and parts of sides and ends have been lost since 1935. Full length survives and possibly the original sheer in place. Half an oak log was used. A split on one side had been repaired with a patch of radial split oak tree-nailed to the boat, classified as a first rate bulky-cargo and personal carrier of punt/barge form, propelled by pole and paddle (3). Boat was dated by the Switzer Lab at Cambridge and produced a calibrated date of 1395-1470 AD. The boat is of an unusually primitive form for its date.(5) Cheshire Museums hold a print of a contemporary photograph.(6) The boat was originally in the Grosvenor Museum - Acc.No 523-35. It spent several years at the National Maritime Museum before being returned to the owner, in whose possession it now is.

<1> Annals of Archaeology & Anthropology - Liverpool University, 22/207-211 Newstead R 1935 (Book). SCH263.

<2> Society of Antiquities London, 1921-2014, The Antiquaries Journal, 6/121-151 Fox C 1926 (Journal/Periodical). SCH284.

<3> British Archaeological Reports, 51/248-250 McGrail S 1978 (Monograph). SCH461.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ56NE11/1961 (Index). SCH2487.

<5> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, McGrail S 1994 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<6> Unknown, 1935, Contemporary Photograph, 3/135-6 (Oral Communication). SCH974.

<7> 1881-1900s, Cheshire Notes and Queries, Cash S 1898 (Journal/Periodical). SCH558.

<8> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.462 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.