TitleBrass Stanchion from the shipwreck of L'Astrolabe Datec 1781-1785About this objectThis heavy, curved brass rod comes from the wreck of La Perouse's ship L’Astrolabe. Its fleur-de-lys stamp is a symbol of French monarchy. This stanchion was the first clue that led to locating the shipwreck on the reef.Object No.93.9Physical descriptionA long heavy curved C shaped solid cylindrical smooth black brass rod, of cast copper alloy with round cross section of varying diameter. The widest section is at the top, which is bulbous with recesses and layers of wider diameter metal. The stanchion diameter narrows along the length, widening slightly around a hole through the metal near the middle. Adjacent to this hole is an incised stamp of the fleur-de-lys.
The centre of the above mentioned hole is filled with coral encrustations. There is an even covering of green corrosion products over the metal surface, with bright green corrosion products around the bulbous top piece.Inscriptions & marksFleur de Lys marking in the middle of the rodDimensionsL: 570 mm W: 180 mm H: 45 mmPlace madeFranceMaterialBrassSourceLa Perouse MuseumAcquisition date1993On displayYesTypeMuseum objectsOrganisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesEuropean arrivals
Brass Stanchion from the shipwreck of L'Astrolabe (c 1781-1785). Randwick City Council, accessed 14/01/2026, https://ourstory.randwick.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12362
