Museum exhibit /Hammer used by the prisoner-construction workers of the White Sea - Baltic Canal Camp (BelBaltLag).
Hammer – a tool used by prisoners of the BelBaltLag, used for the construction of the White Sea-Baltic Canal (1931-1933). It was found in 2004 on the bottom of the canal, between Locks Nos. 10 and 11 during repair-works. It is part of the permanent exhibition in the Segezha Municipal Museum Centre. (Photo 19.08.2005). 
 
 
 
 
Authenticity
 
Types of exhibitsMuseum exhibits/Objects/
 
Thematic indexThe Camps
 
Thematic indexLife in Captivity/
 
Date and place of creation1930s, Medvezh’egorsk Region, Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic
 
Years and places of existence in subject-related functionThe White Sea-Baltic Canal, Locks 10 and 11 (Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, later Karelia Republic)
 
Size18x10x10 cm.
 
Materials
 
Description of exhibitThe hammer is a short, thick metal bar. Both ends are symmetrical and both can be used for striking an object. In the centre of the hammer there is an opening for attaching it to a wooden handle (remains of a wooden handle are present in the opening).
 
State of preservationThe outer layer of the metal is corroded.
 
Detailed annotationThe hammer was brought up from the bottom of the White Sea Canal in the section between Locks 10 and 11 in 2004, while work was being carried out on the temporary draining of part of the Canal for repair and reconstruction of its retaining walls. It was probably used by prisoners in the years when the Canal was being constructed (1931-1933). It was given to the Segezha Municipal Museum by workers involved with the repair of the Canal (the names of the workers are not recorded). Since 2004, it has been in the permanent exhibition Dva lika Osudarevoi dorogi” [“Two Faces of the Osudareva Road”] in the Segezha Municipal Museum Centre.
 
Web page?Yes
 
 
Museum exhibit /Hammer used by the prisoner-construction workers of the White Sea - Baltic Canal Camp (BelBaltLag).