A Stonehenge-like sculpture is planned with "archaeological wood" from the remnants of Catherine Hill Bay's old jetty , but first the timber will be scientifically dated. Login or signup to continue reading Remaining parts of the original timber jetty, built in 1890, were destroyed in the firestorm that swept through the historic town in October 2013. Damien Hawcroft approached the University of Newcastle to help date the timber and tell a story that reflects its history.
He was referred to Dr Danielle Verdon-Kidd , who will take samples from the timber this month to determine how old the trees were when they were felled. Dr Verdon-Kidd said radiocarbon dating would be used to assess the trees, which she suspected were "a few hundred years old, given their size". "This is a unique example of archaeological wood from our maritime history.
It also provides an opportunity to study the rings of these trees," she said. "They could hold some secrets of our local climate prior to 1888. It is rare to have access to a complete specimen of this age, so we are excited to explore this opportunity.
" Mr Hawcroft said much of the timber that fell in the water and on the beach after the fire had to be removed because it "could have been a shipping hazard". After negotiations with the timber's owner, it was trucked to his place for storage. "When I look at this magnificent timber, it's like the dinosaurs or fossils to me," he said.
He envisaged the timber being used for a sculpture on the tow.
