Early in the 19th century, a dug-out boat measuring about 50ft long was found on the eastern edge of the ancient lagoon at Scotter. It was inspected by Sir Joseph Banks, in about 1810 to 1811. {1} The boat was found in 1810, while digging earth to form a barrier bank in the low lands here, 300 yards from the river Trent. The dug-out vessel was made out of one solid tree of oak, and was discovered 4ft below the surface. It was 53ft long, by 4ft wide in the middle and 9" thick. 'The Banhams (sic) broke it in pieces and sold it for ale.' {2}{3} Peck records 'in the year 1811, about a mile from East Ferry, in the moors, was found a canoe, cut from one tree of very large size: I was informed by a brother to the wheelwright who purchased it to break up for pales, that it was in length 40ft, 4ft broad and 3ft deep; tapered at each end, and formed without nail or pin. Some human bones were found in the inside.' A record of a further dug-out canoe, found nearby in 1903, may actually refer to surviving fragments from this boat (see MLI51249). {4}{5}{6}