TitleBilge Pump from the shipwreck of L'AstrolabeDatec 1781-1785About this objectThese flanged brass cylinders formed the central part of L’Astrolabe’s bilge pumps, which lifted water from the ship’s bottom to the deck for drainage. Bolted together with iron fastenings and sealed with leather gaskets, each cylinder contained a wooden piston and valve system operated manually from the deck.Object No.93.1:1-2Physical descriptionHollow flanged brass cylinder, broken at one end; flange approximately 370 mm in diameter with four bolt holes, pipe diameter about 200–205 mm, height 970–980 mm, weight approx. 120 kg. The pipe contains surface corrosion, coral encrustations, and paint remnants. A French inscription is incised along the length. The wall thickness is up to 25 mm, and the object retains one corroded iron bolt in a flange hole.Inscriptions & marks"POIS SONDE RE MAFAIT A ROUEN" incised along the pipe.DimensionsH: 970mm
Diameter of Flange: 370mm
Hole size: 200mm
Weight: Approx 120kgPlace madeFrance MaterialBrassSourceLa Perouse MuseumCredit lineDonated by Mr Reece Discombe Acquisition date1993On displayNoTypeMuseum objectsOrganisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesEuropean arrivals
Bilge Pump from the shipwreck of L'Astrolabe (c 1781-1785). Randwick City Council, accessed 20/03/2026, https://ourstory.randwick.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12354
