The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 12, March 25, 2007, Article 19

UPCOMING JAEGER ARTICLE ON STEPPING THE MAST

Regarding last week's item about coins placed under a ship's mast,
Katie Jaeger writes: "Coincidentally, I have an article coming up on
the mast timber suppliers of Pennsylvania, and how they got their
enormous product to market at the seaports. It includes a description
of mast stepping and coin placement."

"The original reason that shipbuilders would invite the whole community
to this ceremony was that all hands were needed to lift these gigantic
pieces of timber into place! It evolved into a much-enjoyed tradition
like the topping out party for a skyscraper.

"Lest readers get the impression my article is numismatic, it mentions
that a coin of the current year was placed beneath the mast just before
it settled into place during stepping, but that's all.  Since 2003 I've
been gathering information for a comprehensive article on mast-step coins,
how they are used to date wrecks, the traditions behind them, etc., but
that one is years away."

[Katie's article will appear in the upcoming Winter/Spring 2007 issue
of New York's South Street Seaport Museum's magazine.  -Editor]

Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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