Recovered anchor could date back to 1870s

An anchor found by a P.E.I. fisherman last week off Borden-Carleton could be as much as 150 years old, says a marine history curator in Nova Scotia.

Charles Doull snagged the anchor while fishing scallops, and hauled it out at the same time as rescuing his gear. It is about two metres tall and a team of divers was required to get it out of the water.

If they were concerned that the anchor wouldn't hold they would let the anchor go.- Roger Marsters

Roger Marsters, curator of marine history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, said that three or four anchors are found in the region each year, because ships sometimes cut them loose.

"Often what would happen is that the wind would shift around start and blowing a ship towards the shore," said Marsters.

"If they were concerned that the anchor wouldn't hold they would let the anchor go and sail offshore, find themselves some sea room where they would be safe from being driven onto the shore."

Marsters said this type of anchor was common with North American fishing and coastal schooners.

He encourages people who find these types of artifacts to let their provincial museum know.

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