Betsy Cabinet Shelf (VCU_3D_3311)

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This historic shelf was salvaged from the shipwrecked vessel Betsy (44YO0088), which lies submerged in the York River near Yorktown. The Betsy was one of many ships scuttled by British forces in 1781 as part of a strategic maneuver to block American naval movements. Originally part of a china cabinet in the captain's quarters on board, this shelf securely held delicate ceramic vessels even in the most turbulent seas. To learn more about the intricately crafted china cabinets that adorned the Betsy, visit https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/spotlight-on-dhr-collections/spotlight-on-collections-high-tea-on-the-high-seas/. For a comprehensive analysis of the shipwreck's archaeological significance, consult John Broadwater's 1992 publication "Shipwreck in a Swimming Pool: An Assessment of the Methodology and Technology Utilized on the Yorktown Shipwreck Archaeological Project" (Historical Archaeology 26(4):26-46) or the June 1988 National Geographic article "Yorktown Shipwreck." This shelf was meticulously scanned with a Go!Scan 50 on February 23, 2018. Due to its fragile condition, only one side of the shelf that rested against a flat surface was captured in the scan. Courtesy of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.