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Souvenir piece of oak hull from the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides)

Rare Books

Souvenir piece of oak hull from the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides)

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Description: Wedge shaped piece of oak taken from the hull of the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) prior to the 1927-1931 restoration of the ship. There are traces of grey or white paint on one surface of the object. A portion of a wooden peg remains in the top of the object. The depth ranges from 1 inch to 3 inches, length 8 inches, width 5 1/2 inches. The piece of wood has a small copper plaque affixed to the surface which reads "This material was taken from the original hull of the U.S. Frigate Constitution. Keel laid 1794. Rebuilding 1927." The USS Constitution was originally constructed of wood brought from all over the United States. The frames, or ribs and the outer hull planking was made of white oak primarily sourced from Georgia. White oak from New England formed her backbone or keel. Deck beams were white oak and deck planking of southern pitch pine. The three masts were formed of white pine. (Source for description of materials, the USS Constitution Museum).
Type: Rare Books(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1927-1928
Call number: 195388

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Provenance

Gift of

December 1980.

Dimensions

21 x 14 x 3-8 cm

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