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Description:
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The excavation of Sieur de la Salle's ship , La Belle , yielded a large amount of
waterlogged rope requiring conservation . A history of hemp and rope manufacture is
reviewed to assist in the identification of the materials and rope -work recovered from the
La Belle , as well as to assist in selecting an appropriate conservation treatment .
A summary of several methods used to conserve cordage is presented . Time has
shown that not all of these treatment methods have remained viable options , and that
continued study and experimentation are needed so that the conservator has the tools to
develop an appropriate conservation plan for each artifact .
The majority of La Belle's cordage was conserved using the passivation
polymers method developed by Dr . C . Wayne Smith and Dr . Donny L . Hamilton , both
of Texas A &M University , in conjunction with Dow Corning Corporation , Midland ,
Michigan . An experiment applying knowledge gleaned from the passivation polymers
process to polyethylene glycol (PEG ) impregnation was conducted in an attempt to
stabilize the PEG within the rope . The results were good ; the rope retained some
flexibility and appears stable with a slightly darker color than with silicone oil . |