OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

275121 Bill Ghio 2022‑01‑20 Re: Wainscot
> On Jan 20, 2022, at 8:29 AM, John M. Johnston  wrote:
> 
> What kind of wood was "wainscot?”  See the reference below:
> 
> Summary Description of Wooden Canteens made by John Trotter, London Aug. 23,
1780
> 
> "Frith St., Soho, August 23, 1780
> …  Having made canteens of several kinds of wood it is found when they are
filled with water it penetrates through the heads of those made of beech, and it
is also liable to warp.  Foreign oak or wainscot will answer the purpose much
better, and is made use of here for small vessels.  Submitted to Lord Amherst’s
opinion."
> 
> Source: Letter from John Trotter to Maj. Gen. Morrison, dated Aug. 23, 1780 in
Report on American Manuscripts in the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Vol.
II, His Majesty’s Stationery Office, London, 1906, Google Books, p. 173.
> 


I’ll take a shot at an answer. Waiscot being wooden paneling and much of England
being paneled in Oak, I would guess he is referring to a White Oak. By 1780
native English Oak was well consumed for building, esp. ship building, so much
European Oak was being imported along with “deal” from Scandinavia.  Also, of
course, the pores in White Oak are plugged so will not allow "water to penetrate
through the heads” as did the beech.

Bill

Recent Bios FAQ