Binnacle

What is it and where is it in the museum?
The image above is a Binnacle found on the second floor in a display case with another Binnacle as well as compasses and boats wheels.

Why is it interesting?

I found this piece interesting because it holds a simple purpose, but it has much detail applied to it. The binnacle is only used to house the compass piece and protect it, and this Binnacle is bronze and has engravings along its stand. The sides of the Binnacles glass screen have pillars with handles for transport and the pillars are given careful detail along the piping.

What did you learn about it and where did you get the information?
On the sign located in the lower left of the image above gives information about the origin of the Binnacle. It was designed to be put in a yacht named Lady Marie which was built in 1901. The yacht was built for W.C. Allison who was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, and he kept it until his death is 1911.

What can you tell us about the object considering this new information?
This piece shows the careful detail put into every component of yachts in the past. This is only a device for holding a compass, but it was designed into a large bronze piece with designs along the entire column. I also found it interesting that the piece itself was so short considering a captain would need to use the compass a considerable amount whenever they are sailing a ship.

 

 

“Peace” Figurehead

What is it and where is it in the museum?
This is a wooden figurehead named “Peace” on the staircase of the museum leading up to the second floor.

Why is it interesting?

This piece is a detailed design of a woman holding a dove with a lamb by her side. I wanted to draw this wooden piece because of the lines and contour the wood holds. Drawing blind contour lines using the lines along the body allowed for accurate folds in the lines and more defined edges of the figurehead. I also found it interesting because the piece is intact 200 years after being sculpted.

What did you learn about it and where did you get the information?
The sign accompanying the figurehead only gave its name, so I had to research the artist and piece separately. According to Wikipedia, the piece was designed by sculptor William Rush around the 1820s. This artist also made any more pieces such as a life size statue of George Washington in Independence Hall and a figurehead of Benjamin Franklin at Yale University Art Gallery.

What can you tell us about the object considering this new information?

The figurehead may not have extensive history attached to it, but this allowed for it to be kept in pristine condition and available for us to see today. It shows the detail and care put into pieces of ships through history and how important art was when commissioning new vessels. William Rush also shows his skills in this piece and how hard we worked to maintain them, showing as how there are many of his sculptures available to us even today.

 

 

 

 

“Cruiser Olympia” and “Submarine Becuna”

What is it and where is it in the museum?
These two displays are models of the Cruiser Olympia and the Submarine Becuna Located on the main floor behind the Ship Model Shack.

Why is it interesting?

These two models were designed to be scale replicas of the ship and submarine located just outside of the museum on the water. They are available on the dock for tourists to tour and go inside. These models were built to reflect the detail and design down to the smallest cables and antennas on the ships. The third model, Scooner Diligence, which can be somewhat seen on the left side, is currently not present as someone has borrowed it to fix up the model.

What did you learn about it and where did you get the information?
The sign accompanying the models explain that the Cruiser Olympia is a Victorian, U.S. Navy warship from 1895, that now serves as a museum at the Independence Seaport Museum. The Cruiser Olympia is the Oldest Steel Warship, built in 1892, and served until 1922.  The Submarine Becuna is a Balao-Class Submarine was commissioned in 1944 and patrolled the southern Pacific during World War 2 and earned 4 battle stars for its service.

What can you tell us about the object considering this new information?
The ships built many years ago for use in our Navy were strong and succeeded in protecting our Nation as they were able to last until today. Where they can now be used as tourist attractions for people to explore and see how Naval ships worked in the past, as well as how they changed over time with technology and weaponry advancements.

 

 

Other Interesting Pieces:

Swan made of Trash

 

Model Ship

 

Exhibit “River  Alive”