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Many examples of this artefact, clay pipes, were found on the wreck of the P.S. Lady Sherbrooke. In the period before more durable pipes or alternative forms of tobacco were available many would smoke pipes such as those shown here. Since they were quite fragile they were considered disposable, that is, once they were broken they were tossed aside. This explains why so many fragments were discovered in areas where workers and passengers alike would have occupied during their voyages.

What is curious is why on a wooden boat, with an obvious risk of fire, there would have been so much smoking taking place. Considering that according to written regulations smoking was restricted if not outright prohibited on board this provides an example where archeological research contradicts, or corrects, earlier archival sources.

To see an image which will give you a better idea of where these particular artefacts were discovered on the P.S. Lady Sherbrooke you can click here or on the image.