Stage: | Endeavour Cannons: | Vernon Anchors: |
Physical Treatment | - Hammers used to remove hard coral from cannon surfaces.
- Core drilling of cannons’ bores.
| - Iron surfaces blasted with copper slag, which removed outer corrosion and the remains of protective paint, then garnet polished.
|
Electrolytic Treatment | - Electrolysis in 2% NaOH solution for many weeks.
- Baths changed regularly.
- Continued until chloride concentration levelled out at approximately 20 ppm.
| - Electrolysis not used because:
- Would cause damage to timber stocks
- Was not necessary
|
Final Treatment | - Immersed in molten microcrystalline wax for five days (reversible).
| - Iron treated with zinc epoxy paint.
- Timber stocks saturated with zinc napthenate solution.
|
Display | - One cannon displayed indoors at Australian National Maritime Museum.
- Protected from moisture and harsh light.
| - Displayed outdoors at Australian National Maritime Museum.
- Exposed to elements.
- Rest on aluminium mesh, which:
- Allows water to drain away.
- Has a higher oxidation potential than iron.
|
Monitoring | - Because the artefact is not exposed to any potentially harmful elements, monitoring is not particularly important.
| - Regularly inspected for deterioration.
- Hosed with freshwater on a regular basis to reduce salt build-up.
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