Ship's Knee from Unidentified Whaleship Trywork

knee

One of nine iron ship's knees used in the construction of an unidentified whaleship trywork (furnace). Knees were fastened outside of the brick trywork to secure the structure to the deck of the ship. L shaped iron knee with three holes (two on the arm, one at the top of the body) to secure knees to deck with bolts; large iron hoop attached to body of the knee just under the upper hole to attach chain, hoop slightly eroded and thinner than others. Knees were deemed "rare" and important by Walter Ansel of the Shipyard. Overall fair condition; surface rusty and could use cleaning from years of storage. Overall: 44 x 3 1/4 x 23 1/2 in.