The Suspense (Part Deux)

Looks a bit different here! Part of chassis visible so more like a car (steel section), probably hollow tube, broken which extended to other side and axle would normally be clamped on with two U bolts where the single bolt appears. Thats what it does on my car with leaf springs at the back. (not many still made like that and it does have an ash framed body)

I agree with 61triumph.... it looks far too industrious to be anything other than a motor vehicle. The close up shows that the suspension is deigned to take considerable weight and it seems that it is attached to a piece of a chassis.
In that case the bolt in the middle would be an equaliser bolt. This would have a rubber (mushroom like head) on the longest part of the bolt. The idea was that when the leaf reaches it s maximum resistance (when the vehicle goes over a bump) then the rubber headed bolt would strike the chassis and prevent the suspension from travelling further.... or at least that s how I understand it. ::17:::12:

Do leaves have nicely rounded ends generally, or is that something limited to a vehicle of a certain era?

Can t honestly say as I ve only ever seen them rounded

Probably causes less stress on the leaf immediately under - or over, a right angle might cause a hard edge. Not all are like that, well finished and where is the rust?

Interesting you mention the rust; around the corner, there were strengthening piles driven in to support the base of the Pool, and a concrete walkway laid; the steel is covered with the same degree of encrustation, but the piles are showing signs of decay. I suppose it depends on the type of metal used on these leaves?

Taking into account its location, as well as the fact that wheels are not attached, it has to be said that to get it here from Batten s Wharf (now the Parade Ground) and the road along the front of St Anthony s Garden would not be an easy task. There must be easier ways of dumping property. Is there a chance that this was a vehicle on one of the ships that were wrecked in fore of the Bay, and was later thrown on the rocks by a storm (such as the Ash Wednesday)?

SS Taycraig?

That was one of the ships that I had in mind, but I am hoping there may be more expert opinion about these leaves as to general dating; I do not believe the suspension system was dumped here, that would require more effort and dedication than would be expendable in the episode by such people.

What an excellent site this is! I saw this object while out on Sunday and couldn't figure out what is was or where it might have come from. So, thought I'd have a root around on the site to see if it appeared anywhere and if I could find out anything about it, and low and behold, here it is. Thanks to all who commented.