Preserving the wood
As mentioned earlier, the shipwrights and carpenters have taken the keel apart at the scarph joint. If you look at the picture on the right, you’ll see the diagonal cut that makes up the joint. This section of the keel was removed to make it easier for them to work on the rebate.
But for the moment, they are taking the opportunity to apply a mixture of linseed oil and preservative to the wood, to help prevent weather damage. Photography and content: James Kelly.
The Ship's Blog: Following The Harwich Mayflower Project/ Heritage Centre/Harwich Cultural & Community Projects. 