Jarre 4, second half of the 2nd century BC
Country: France
Place: South of the island of Jarre, south-east of Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), at a depth of 23 m
Coordinates (approximate): 43.19, 5.37
Type: Small Roman Republican coastal vessel
Identified: No
Dated: Second half or last quarter of the 2nd century BC, based on the Dressel 1A amphorae.
Beam: Unknown.
Keel Length: Unknown.
Length Overall: Estimated at 8–10 m (Long 2002).
Number of Masts: Unknown.
History of the wreck
The discovery of the Jarre 4 wreck was reported to the authorities in 2001; it had been completely looted for more than twenty years (Long 2002: 59–60). DRASSM, under the direction of Long, intervened on the site in the same year it was reported. In Long’s opinion it must have been a minor vessel 8–10 m long. It is of interest for this study because, although the ship carried an Italian cargo, the section of its keel (Figure 1) does not show the characteristic features of the Republican architectural family, which could be related to its shorter length and its coastal sphere of navigation.
Description of the site
The wreck lies at a depth of 23 m south of the island of Jarre, south-east of Marseille. Only 1 m² of the ship’s hull was found, mineralised by the iron oxides of three iron ingots placed in the spaces between the frames (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Plan of a portion of the hull of the Jarre 4 and idealised section of the hull (after Long, in Long 2002: 60).
Cargo
Fragments of Dressel 1A amphorae, dated to the second half or last quarter of the 2nd century BC, were found, together with three iron ingots placed between the frames.
Ballast
Not reported.
Anchors
Not reported.
Guns
Not applicable.
Iron concretions
Nail concretions were found, and the surviving portion of hull was mineralised by the iron oxides of the three iron ingots.
Hull Remains
The portion of hull, only 1 m², comprises the keel, three planking strakes and the impressions of frames that had been completely eaten by Teredo navalis.
Keel, keelson and mast step
The keel is of square section, slightly wider than it is high, 11.5 cm wide and 9–10 cm high, with a bevelled rabbet (Figure 1).
Frames
The frames, 9 cm sided, were fastened from the outside by copper and iron nails (of square section).
Planking
The strakes are of a resinous species and are 17 cm wide and 2.2 to 2.5 cm thick. The pegs are 1.1 cm in diameter, and the mortises are 7 cm wide and only 4 cm deep.
Ceiling, thick stuff, and wales
Not preserved.
Caulking
Not reported.
Size and scantlings
A minor vessel 8–10 m long, with a keel slightly wider than it is high (11.5 × 9–10 cm) and light planking (2.2–2.5 cm).
Table 1. Scantling of the timber remains of the Jarre 4 Shipwreck
| Timber | Sided [cm] | Molded [cm] |
| Keel | 11.5 | 9–10 |
| Keelson | – | – |
| Maststep Mortise | – – | – – |
| Buttresses | – | – |
| Frames | 9 | – |
| Futtocks | – | – |
| Room-and-space At central frames | – | |
| Planking | 17 | 2.2–2.5 |
| Ceiling | – | – |
| Main mast Ø Chock | – – | – – |
Planking: sided = width, moulded = thickness.
Wood
The planking is of a resinous species.
Bibliography
Long, L. 2002. Jarre 4. Bilan scientifique du DRASSM 2001, 59–60. Paris.