I know what this is, Do you?

[riverdiver]

Zeig is correct they are logging chains that are driven into the ends of the log's all the way around the outside perimeter of a log raft and was pulled by tugs to the saw mills down river.
Ed

 

[deepstops]

No and No, this is in Michigan waters, we did not have slaves in the North.

That's not even remotely funny you think that.

 

[FLRiverDiver]

Have picked up a number of these in the St. Mary's River (GA/FL state line boundry). The ones we find here do not have the chain--ropes were run through the circles. In this area they are called "Logging Jams," and were indeed used to tie log rafts together to float down river to be loaded on ships bound for Europe.

I have seen pictures of woodcuts of 3 and 5 masted ships back in the 1700's lined up as far as the eye could see, at places in the river such as Woodstock, waiting for their timber loads. After all these years, during the usual cycle of lower than normal tides, some of the pilings from the docks at Woodstock can still be seen.

As a previous poster said, these artifacts will shortly turn to a pile of rust if not treated--as is true of any iron artifacts exposed to air for any length of time.

 

[riverdiver]

Have picked up a number of these in the St. Mary's River (GA/FL state line boundry). The ones we find here do not have the chain--ropes were run through the circles. In this area they are called "Logging Jams," and were indeed used to tie log rafts together to float down river to be loaded on ships bound for Europe.

I have seen pictures of woodcuts of 3 and 5 masted ships back in the 1700's lined up as far as the eye could see, at places in the river such as Woodstock, waiting for their timber loads. After all these years, during the usual cycle of lower than normal tides, some of the pilings from the docks at Woodstock can still be seen.

As a previous poster said, these artifacts will shortly turn to a pile of rust if not treated--as is true of any iron artifacts exposed to air for any length of time.

This is fresh water it takes a long time before it turns in to a pile of rust. But if you do not treat the wood soon it will dry up and rot away.