besom brushes

TO BURN OFF THE FILTH, SUCH AS GRASS, OOZE, SHELLS, OR SEA WEED, FROM A SHIPS BOTTOM, THAT HAS GATHERED TO IT IN A VOYAGE, OR BY LYING LONG IN HARBOUR. THIS OPERATION IS PERFORMED BY HOLDING KINDLED FURZE, FAGGOTS, OR SUCH MATERIALS, TO THE BOTTOM, SO THAT THE FLAME INCORPORATING WITH THE PITCH, SULPHUR, &C. THAT HAD FORMERLEY COVERED IT, IMMEDIATELY LOOSENS AND THROWS OFF WHATEVER FILTH MAY HAVE ADHERED TO THE PLANKS.

Besom Brushes
	The majority were found in a small compartment within the wreck on the orlop deck. Due to the number found, there was some confusion at first, as to their purpose. Why have so many 'twig brushes' on board a man-o-war? A further confusing factor was that each of them was covered/impregnated with tar or pitch in such a way as to indicate that they were originally stored on board in this condition? This would obviously have made them completely useless as a sweeping aid.
Click on any image to enlarge
Extensive research showed that they were NOT in fact intended for sweeping up but used in a process known as 'BREAMING'. The following passage is an Admiralty instruction from mid eighteenth century: -
TO BREAM, CHAUFFER, FR. FROM BROOM.
TO BURN OFF THE FILTH, SUCH AS GRASS, OOZE, SHELLS, OR SEA WEED, FROM A SHIPS BOTTOM, THAT HAS GATHERED TO IT IN A VOYAGE, OR BY LYING LONG IN HARBOUR. THIS OPERATION IS PERFORMED BY HOLDING KINDLED FURZE, FAGGOTS, OR SUCH MATERIALS, TO THE BOTTOM, SO THAT THE FLAME INCORPORATING WITH THE PITCH, SULPHUR, &C. THAT HAD FORMERLEY COVERED IT, IMMEDIATELY LOOSENS AND THROWS OFF WHATEVER FILTH MAY HAVE ADHERED TO THE PLANKS.
AFTER THIS, THE BOTTOM IS COVERED ANEW WITH A COMPOSITION OF SULPHUR, TALLOW, &C., WHICH NOT ONLY MAKES IT SMOOTH AND SLIPPERY, SO AS TO DIVIDE THE FLUID MORE READILY, BUT ALSO POISENS AND DESTROYS THOSE WORMS WHICH EAT THROUGH THE PLANKS IN THE COURSE OF A VOYAGE. BREAMING MAY BE PERFORMED EITHER WHEN THE SHIP LIES AGROUND AFTER THE TIDE HAS EBBED FROM HER, OR BY DOCKING, OR BY CAREENING, WHICH SEE; AS ALSO COAT AND STUFF.
Note that the passage refers to "THE FLAME INCORPORATING WITH THE PITCH SULPHUR, &C." This ties in nicely with the pitch/tar found on the besoms when recovered from the wreck.
All have been cleaned and conserved and are completely stable. You should appreciate however, that the hazel binding which literally ties the birch twigs together at one end is a little fragile and will not stand up to much handling. The average size is 700 mm long x 100 mm dia. at the tied end. I am donating the majority to be displayed on board HMS Victory in the Portsmouth Naval base but will keep a very limited number making them available for private sale.

If you would like to own one of these: - 1. As recovered from the wreck no handle £20.00 UK Pounds 2. Pine display backboard for wall mounting £30.00 UK Pounds Prices on these items do not include postage and packing NOTE We recovered a small number of handles with these besoms. All of them were separate from the besom heads and in poor condition. If you would like a handle with your besom, allow and additional £5.