ABSTRACT
While Phoenix can be considered well-preserved compared to most early 19th-century wrecks, given the devastation of the fire and 200 years of erosion underwater, ship characteristics required for a complete reconstruction are missing from the hull remains. Data derived from historical documents and records of contemporary steamboats were used for conjectural reconstruction of missing hull elements, until such point in time when archaeological evidence can more accurately fill the gaps in our knowledge. The conjectural reconstruction model was based on the analysis and interpretation of a combination of various historical and archaeological sources. In addition to providing a tool for the interior design of the steamer, the models aided in ship reconstruction. The evidence for reconstruction of the interior compartments surrounding the engine room comes primarily from the Champlain Transportation Company's advertisements, newspaper accounts of the sinking, Hemenway's description of the vessel, and the interpretation of the artifact distribution.
