Glossary
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The Sleeper of the P.S. Lady Sherbrooke
At the lowest point inside the hull are the sleepers. The sleepers provide the fingerprints of the engine. By finding the sleepers we had definite proof that the wreck was that of a steamer. Also, with a careful analysis of the mortises and the various scars found on the two sleepers, we were able to reconstitute the engine and thereby we were able to accurately identify the boat as the P.S. Lady Sherbrooke.
The sleepers are 2 big beams 60 cm. by 30 cm. Cut from very strong white oak they are situated on each side of the smaller keelson. The sleepers are the lower components of a bigger (now missing ) structure similar to a bridge. The builder Isaac Johnson wanted to distribute the massive weight of the engine (70 tons) over the entire length of the hull. The only remaining original part of the engine that was cast in Birmingham, England was found under the sleepers.
Do you know why we call these pieces sleepers? The answer is really quite simple... since they provide the bed for the engine. The engine rests on these beams. 
Do you want to try and match the images seen here with a drawing that places all of these images within their larger context? Not easy but worth a try!
