TitleLead Ingot from the shipwreck of L'Astrolabe Datec 1781-1785About this objectRecovered in 1958 from the wreck site of L’Astrolabe at Vanikoro by New Zealand diver Reece Discombe, this lead ingot is one of several discovered during early underwater surveys of the Lapérouse expedition. Ingots of this type were carried aboard L’Astrolabe and La Boussole and were used for casting lead shot and musket balls. The flat surface bears the stamped letter “A”, also found on ingots from La Boussole, as well as three distinct casting marks that identify the manufacturer, traced by Discombe to workshops in Brest.Object No.93.3:1-2Physical descriptionThe flat face bears a stamped capital letter “A”, along with three casting marks from the manufacturing mould. The ingot is approximately 83 kg with clear signs of age, surface oxidation, and wear consistent with long-term immersion beneath coral.Inscriptions & marks"Relique de l'Astrolabe, Sydney - Vanikoro, 1788".Dimensions93.3.1: L: 885 mm W: 155 mm D: 82 mm
93.3.2: L: 885 mm W: 170 mm D: 70 mm Weight: 83 kgPlace madeBrest, FranceMaterialLeadSourceLa Perouse MuseumAcquisition date1993On displayNoTypeMuseum objectsOrganisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesEuropean arrivals
Lead Ingot from the shipwreck of L'Astrolabe (c 1781-1785). Randwick City Council, accessed 25/01/2026, https://ourstory.randwick.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12356
