Glossary
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Three sections of the main deck from the P.S. Lady Sherbrooke were recovered. Pictured here is the area directly over the engine room. Also located was a small section above the boiler room and one beam from the cabin area at the rear of the vessel were located. The main axis of the paddlewheel was situated approximately 50 cm. above the deck. To protect passengers from the moving parts of the paddle wheels a cover was built over them which was then attached to the deck surface.

The deck above the engine room provides several interesting stories. During the dig the deck was dismantled by the team because it was considered dangerous for the divers to work underneath it. In order to do this a large iron bolt that held this section together had to be cut. Special equipment capable of cutting the bolt was required.

The excavation of this section of the Lady Sherbrooke provided much information for the researchers. In fact it shed much light on the thinking of the period, and specifically on how that thinking was different from today.

For example, much of the material shown from this section were originally created as a temporary measure. They were constructed with the intention of being dismantled in order to make room for putting the components of the engine in place. When, in 1826, the engine was removed, the materials were reconstructed and put back in place! This must be seen as a lot of care for a retired hull, a hull destined to rot!

Other discoveries included elements of rigging such as a deadeye attached to a beam with the main mast set just before the engine room. Overall the structure was very strong being entirely constructed in white oak.