Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 16

Table Glass from the Wreck of the Machault

by Paul McNally

Abstract

Table glass from the 1760 French wreck of the Machault included a large number of French wine glasses, one French tumbler, and eight English wine glasses. The presence of English glass is presumably indicative of English leadership in the glass industry of the third quarter of the 18th century. Despite the critical situation of Montreal in 1760, the wealthier citizens of that town apparently still had a desire for relatively fine table wares and the power to have them sent from France. Also, the presence of table glass on a relief ship might indicate that France did not think it was in danger of losing New France permanently.

Submitted for publication 1972, by Paul McNally, National Historic Parks and Sites Branch, Ottawa.