Kungsmarken

A023, lifted from starboard side of sternpost assembly where it lay sticking up partly over the rudder, both visible in the 3D mother model.

Presumed tiller, curved, with one forked end presumably spanning the head of the rudder and locking with a single penetrating treenail or bolt. Small blind nail holes over and around the fork may be for attaching a canvas or leather cover/bellows between rudder head and helm port. The opposite end has a trapezoidal ('dovetail'), possibly open-ended rebate on the presumed underside, possibly connecting to the remaining steering mechanism. Hollow (wear?)marks on the sides may be for lashing something fitted in the rebate.

The piece has a clear parallel in a find handed in to the Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde, in 2006 (VIR2505x1) and a similar piece is also known from the Mary Rose.

Photographed and scanned (Leo + Artec Studio) 2022-08-27 in workshop + a 3D photogrammetry was made underwater before lifting.