Analysis of the Mardi Gras Shipwreck Ship’s Stove

Recent discoveries in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico yielded tantalizing clues about the complex maritime history of the region. In particular, the Mardi Gras Shipwreck site, located in 1220 m (4,000 ft.) of water, contained an astonishing array of material culture. Of particular interest is a ship’s stove, one of only a handful identified in archaeological contexts. An assessment of the stove and its construction provided insight into the use of stoves at sea. Further, analysis of this appliance and comparison to similar stoves from archaeological contexts suggests that a veritable “cottage industry” may have existed throughout U.S. and international port communities and blacksmith shops. Historical research revealed the various functions that ships’ stoves performed in the early 19th century. In addition, this investigation serves as a platform for addressing larger research questions about foodways and human behavior exhibited on sailing vessels in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.