Study of the intact stability of a Portuguese Nau from the early XVII century

Discovered in 1993 at the mouth of the river Tagus, near Lisbon, the shipwreck known as Pepper Wreck was tentatively identified as the Portuguese ship Nossa Senhora dos Mrtires, lost in this place on its return voyage from Cochin, in India, on September 14,1606. Its archaeological excavation between 1996 and 2000 led to a tentative reconstruction of the ship's hull form and rigging, based on the archaeological remains and in the Portuguese shipbuilding treatises. The data derived during this reconstruction is now used to study its intact floatability and stability. The floatation characteristics of the ship are determined applying modern naval architecture methods. The displacement and centre of gravity of the ship are estimated taking into account the: weights of the hull planking, decks and structure, masts and rigging, guns and ammunition, crew, soldiers and passengers, and the cargo onboard. Finally the intact small and large angle stability of the ship are investigated and compared with modern stability criteria for large sailing vessels. 2005 Taylor & Francis Group.

MARITIME TRANSPORTATION AND EXPLOITATION OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCES, VOLS 1 AND 2

Study of the intact stability of a Portuguese Nau from the early XVII century Conference Paper