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Blackfriars Ship 3, Moored at a dock in London
Karen Guffogg’s reconstruction drawing of Blackfriars ship 3 depicts how the boat, which was uncovered by London archaeologists in 1970, would have appeared in 1400. The wreck was located to the west of Trig Lane, near Blackfriars. This type of broad, flat-bottomed boat was capable of carrying heavy loads while sailing in shallow water. Although it is not known exactly what kind of cargo would have been transported by this vessel, the lack of ceiling planks indicates that it did not carry stone, as they would have damaged the planks on the bottom of the boat. Boats of this construction were able to sail on the Thames and its nearby tributaries but were unsuitable for seafaring due to their smaller size. Close by to the wreck of Blackfriars ship 3, is another vessel known as Blackfriars ship 4. Due to the short distance, and similar leveling in the riverbed, it is believed the two boats may have sank after a collision, an indication of the congestion of shipping boats on the Thames.
London’s position on the river Thames was of the utmost importance for its growth as a city because of the access it gave inland London to the English Channel and overseas markets. The city’s thriving economy was based on a variety of industries, including the cloth trade, wine imports, and the fish market. Trig lane, where the Blackfriars 3 boat was found, was originally known as Fishing Wharf Lane. Fishing was a crucial aspect of the diet of Londoners, and around 1,000 lead fishing sinkers were found buried with Blackfriars 3. The Thames also served important daily functions for the inhabitants of London such as gathering drinking water, washing, and using public latrines. During the 12th century, however, the riverfront of the Thames steadily became more privatized than it had been in the past. Urban growth on the riverfront led to the construction of multi-story buildings for commercial, residential, and industrial purposes.