Equipment

Anchors

During the first rescue campaign in 1967, in just four days, virtually without any documentation of the status undersea, a number of objects were raised to the surface, including two iron anchors, 3.75 and 4.85 m long. The bigger anchor was recovered from the stern area, while smaller one rested near the bow.

Bilge pump

Removal of the ballast stones led to the discovery of the preserved parts of a suction pump used to remove water from the bilge. The pump was normally placed in the lowest part of a ship’s hull, and it was surrounded by a structure of wooden boards in order to avoid the collapse of the ballast and other loose materials. It consisted of a lower wooden valve with moulding on the lower side that allowed for its fixture on the ship’s frame, a hose and a movable piston with a leather lid.

Suction pumps probably appeared in the 15^th century, and were thoroughly described by Georgius Agricola in the work De re metallica, published in Basel in 1556.

Cauldron for melting resin or tar

In the mid-1960s, a certain German organized the unauthorized extraction of the finds from Pakoštane, and a vestige of his campaign remains in the form of a large copper cauldron that the “antique lover” did not manage to take with him, rather he was forced to leave it behind in the house in which he was staying.

The cauldron is 71.5 cm heigh; it’s opening measures 99.2 cm in diameter, and it weighs 61 kg. It was used for melting the resin or tar for the protection of the ship’s hull.

Metal vessels

During the 1967–1973 research campaigns, 20 different metal vessels were recovered from the site. They encompassed cauldrons, pans, wash basins, a lid, a pot, a bucket and a mixing spoon, probably used in the ship’s galley.

Portable copper ember vessel

Among the noteworthy metal finds is the portable cooker (Tur. mangal) which, despite being quite damaged, was restored to excellent condition. The cooker was decorated with a calligraphic monogram (Tur. tuğrâ) that was used as the sultan’s signature. Since it has thus far not been possible to identify it with the signature of any sultan of that era, it would appear in this case that it just served as decoration.

Pottery

Over 60 items made of ceramic were recovered from the site. The repertoire of finds consists in bowls, plates, jugs, cups, pots, candlesticks and spoons. Most of the ceramics were produced in Italy, and they may be attributed to Venetian workshops with a high degree of certainty. The possibility that some of these items were also being transported as goods for sale remains an open question at this point.

Steelyard balance counterweight

From the private collection in Biograd na Moru comes the bronze counterweight, filled with lead. It was used as part of the steelyard balance, which was a common part of equipment of a merchant ship. Its height is 13 cm, the diameter of the basse is 5 cm, and the weight 2.941 kg.

A steelyard balance, is a straight-beam balance with arms of unequal length. It incorporates a counterweight which slides along the longer arm to counterbalance the load and indicate its weight. 

Precision scales

In the chest containing three linen shirts, eight woollen caps and 54 m of luxurious silk damask, a small teakwood box with two sets of weights and a precision scale were found. The precision scale consists of two hemispherical brass bowls, which by means of three ropes hang on the corners of the horizontal lever, made of iron (now reconstructed).

The length of horizontal lever of the precision scale measures 16 cm, while the diameter of trays is 10 cm. An oval brass box containing another precision scale and several small weights was also found among the other cargo items.

Mill stones

In 1967 a large stone wheel was recovered from the site. It resembles a mill stone, although no traces of use could be spotted on the find. Another mill stone or whetstone was also recovered, but was never cleaned nor conserved.

Seal of an unknown merchant

In 1973, a seal with a cross and the initials P M, used for marking wooden packaging, was found. Today, unfortunately, we dispose just of the photo of the find, as it disappeared from the Gnalić collection.