Rave
Physical Object
1986.008.0582
Santa Margarita (1622)
circa 1620
This hooked, iron tool was used by the caulker of the 1622 galleon Santa Margarita to remove old oakum caulk (a mixture of hemp fiber and tar) from between plank seams. The claw-foot was to pull tacks from the parcelling (lead strips) that covered the seams. This type of tool has had many names through the centuries – rave hook, ripping iron, and reef hook – but the shape was largely unchanged. This piece has an overall length of 42 centimeters.