Deck Structure of USS Constitution

[daveleo]

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Took these photos today inside the classic USS Constituion . . . the oldest seaworthy warship in the world (hope I got that correct). What made the Constitution special was the innovative structures that allowed them to mount 44 canons in a small ship (about twice the number of canons previously possible in a ship of its size).

 

These photos show those structures (they look like square C's); they distribute the static and dynamic loads from the canons through the floor and then into a large area of the hull; it is this stress distribution that allowed the use of many more canons. This was critical at the time, as the US Navy had a total of six (6 !) ships, and could hardly afford to loose one in battle.

 

The ship is of course, all wood . . . high stress areas are live oak, which I believe is the hardest structural wood available.

 

(A gold star for my wife who waited outside patiently . . . . patiently . . . while I snapped photos.)

[pauledell]

Dave,

 

A great series and narration. Exquisite composition, colors and sharpness.

 

Paul

[likalar]

These are fascinating! I was on that ship as a kid in the '50s-'60s, but had no idea, of course, of strength concerns. Thanks for catching me up.

 

It looks like she's had quite a restoration.

 

Larry

[biglouis]

Dave, that is a fascinating set of pictures. I especially like #3. Thanks for sharing.

 

LouisB

[George James]

Dave,

 

Excellent series of images, well done.

 

George

[stuny]

Dave -

 

A lovely set. The USS Constitution is maintained by the US Navy, and is still a commissioned ship. Most people know it better by its nickname - Old Ironsides - referring to cannonballs bouncing off the oak hull, which Dave identified.

[daveleo]

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yes . . . the ship is under restoration (it's been through many rebuilds in it's life) . . . the dust below decks from the power saws was killing . . . not to mention the 60 other people i had to dodge around.

 

and, hey ! . . . . "cannon" has 2 n's in it (not one, as i spelled it).

[biglouis]

Dave, looking at these again I am reminded of one of my favourite ships to visit in the UK: HMS Victory in Portsmouth naval yard. If you are ever over in the UK....

[daveleo]

Dave, looking at these again I am reminded of one of my favourite ships to visit in the UK: HMS Victory in Portsmouth naval yard. If you are ever over in the UK....

 

Louis,

actually . . . now that you mention it, the sailor giving the tour did say something like "There is one older fully operational warship, and that is over in the UK, however it is in drydock (not floating)" . . . that's probably the HMS Victory that you mention.

 

i will Google that up later.

[clinchico]

Dave

 

A wonderful series.

The old war ships had that certain character to them that war ships today do not posses. I think it is the iron and wood combination that makes them so appealing.

 

Herb

[tobey bilek]

Wives as nice as they are simply do not appreciate things of this nature.

 

Thanks for the history lession and the photos.