Roman ships commonly used lead for various nautical purposes from the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD. Lead was used for sheathing hulls from the keel to the waterline, caulking between planks, weighting anchors, and constructing bilge pumps. It protected ships from marine growth and leaks. Lead sheathing was typically 1 meter squares and 1.25mm thick, held on with copper tacks. Anchors had lead stock or assembly pieces to provide weight. Pumps had lead pipes and collecting boxes. Lead was an integral material for maintaining and operating Roman-era ships.

1. Nautical Uses of Lead
in Roman Times
A Presentation by
Ivor Mollema

2. Chronology
• Use of lead very
common in Ancient
World
• Nautical use mainly
from 3rd c. BC till 2nd c.
AD for Romans
• But, several examples
found later:
– Femina Morta wreck
300 AD

3. Uses
• Sheathing
• Caulking
• Anchors
• Pumps
• Oars
• Cooking Gear
• Fishing Gear
• Containers

4. Sheathing
• From Keel to Waterline
– Copper Tacks
– Second Strake above Water
– Overlapping
• Guards against marine
growth and shipworm
– Found on 2/3s of Roman
ships
• Used for patch repairs
• Spares were carried in rolls
in the hull
• Usually 1 metre square
• 1.25 mm average thickness

5. Caulking
• Deck and Hull
• Strips of lead between
planks
• Sealed with putty or
resin
• Waterproofing of joints

6. Anchors
• Lead key component of
Roman Anchors
• Composite anchors of
wood and lead
• Lead used to give
weight to anchors
• Usually stock or
assembly piece

7. Pumps
• Used as form of bilge
pumps
• Basic piston pump
• Hand operated
• Lead parts:
– Pipes
– Collecting Box

8. Other Uses

9. Important Sites (besides ours)
• Caesarea, Israel
• Baratti Wreck, Italy
• Nemi, Italy
• Marsala
• Grado, Italy