The early stages of microbial colonization and succession of wooden surfaces exposed to the sea have been extensively studied as have the community structures of archaeological timbers subjected to submergence and then retrieval from the sea. The frigate UNICORN, a largely intact 19th century wooden ship based in Dundee, Scotland, provides the microbial ecologist with a unique opportunity to study the microbial community structures of untreated and treated (with brine) English oak timbers of a vessel which apart from the occasional dry-docking, has remained afloat since 1824. The spatial structure of the keelson and sister keelson areas will be described as will the decay abilities of isolates and the decay status of core samples. The results will be discussed in terms of the development of community structures under different moisture content regimes.

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