More Proof LRLs Work
Sean Grolier
Ship was not native to Australia, according to independent tests.
The findings of a private timber scientist hired by the Melbourne
shipwreck-hunting team have boosted their hopes they may have found the
fabled vessel. Further analysis may reveal the wood sample's age,
species and country of origin but the current data rules out the chance
of it being something "that just washed down the Merri River", Mahogany
Ship committee chairman Pat Connelly said.
It does not rule out being a foreign species grown on Australian soil,
or kauri from New Zealand, Mr Connelly conceded. The fact it is
international wood adds weight to theories of a 16th century Portuguese
caravel or 15th century Chinese junk, he said.
The sample, found by a team of amateur archaeologists led by Melbourne
lawyer Mark Rawson, is the second Levy's Point wood sample to be tested
recently.
A two-metre-long piece of pinkish wood found in September by Steve
Hilliard and Phil Knowles of Warrnambool was tested by Heritage
Victoria and revealed to be jarrah.
advertisement
advertisement
Mr Hilliard said Heritage Victoria would not carbon-date the sample
because it did not test the age of Australian timbers because it was
too costly.
"Ross Anderson from Heritage Victoria said it was definitely off a
shipwreck and it could be 100 years old or older," Mr Hilliard
revealed.
"It's not from modern-day marine vessels.
"My personal view, looking at the article on (Killarney historian)
Jenny Fawcett is... I believe in the Mahogany Ship but I don't believe
it's a Portuguese caravel.
.........
Found the above on Australian site. Apparently discovered legendary
wreck (maybe) with some type of LRL.Ok, will email to you same as
Fyngal. You can decide if ok...regards Sean