USS Illinois (replica)

[Grey Havoc]

IMAGE CREDIT: Wikipedia article on Battleship Illinois (replica)​

One of the weirder naval projects I've come across:

From Strategypage:

Uncle Sam’s Brick Battleship

When plans were announced for the Chicago World Columbian Exposition of 1892-1893, the U.S. Navy decided to get into the act by arranging for a replica of the new Indiana (BB-1) Class battleships then under construction to be built on shore of Lake Michigan.

At 348-feet in length, with a beam of 69, the “ship”, dubbed the USS Illinois, was a virtual full-scale replica in brick, plaster, metal, and wood, of the new 10,288 ton battleships then under construction, Uncle Sam’s first “first class” battlewagons, the Maine and Texas, then under construction, being technically “second class” battleships. The “ship” was provided with fully appropriate lighting, so that it could be illuminated at night, while its interior had quarters for officers and enlisted men, a galley, and some working spaces, though no engine room, and many of the fittings, such as anchors, boats, cranes, and more were real, as were some of the smaller guns aboard, so that salutes could be fired.

With a crew provided by the Navy, the “battleship” Illinois proved to be one of the hits of the exposition. But when the fair closed down, most of the buildings were torn down. The Navy had to decide what to do with the “ship”. In the end, an elegant solution was found, rather than tear down the structure, the Navy transferred it to the Illinois Naval Militia, which used it as an armory and training vessel for several years, until it began to deteriorate, and was torn down.

From the Illinois (replica) Wikipedia article (as of the 23rd of October, 2011):

Construction

Illinois was constructed alongside a pier and gave the appearance that she was moored to the wharf. She was designed by architect Frank W. Grogan, and built at a cost of $100,000.[2]

A foundation of pilings and heavy timbers were built in Lake Michigan, at the north-east corner of the exposition grounds. The sides of Illinois were constructed of brick, plastered with cement. The hull structure was carefully constructed to match the contour of the Indiana-class warships.[3]

A superstructure, redoubts, barbettes, turrets and main and secondary guns were assembled using wood framing, covered with cement and metal lathing. Fittings and details, such as anchors, torpedo nets, davits, railings, and a multitude of other details, gave the appearance of a functioning warship.[3] Within the superstructure were berthing spaces, cabins, galley, and other living spaces all constructed to emulate realistic living conditions on American battleships. As a result of the attention to detail, Illinois was a faithful reproduction of a coastal battleship.[3]

Exhibits

One objective of the Columbian Exposition was to highlight electric generation technologies, and Illinois was no exception.

Because the hull was solid, no machinery or compartments were placed below the berth deck, the level just below the main deck. Instead, an electrical plant was installed on the main deck to provide power to 350 16-candlepower lamps, two 38,000 candlepower search lights, and a few electrical motors.[3]

Two 16 kilowatt marine generators were also installed on Illinois, and used to highlight their operation for visitors. However, the actual power for the ship came from a 500 volt, 50 horsepower (37 kW) motor. The wiring on Illinois was done in accordance to naval regulations and was completely watertight.[3]

Illinois was equipped with a complete set of navigation and running lights. Two large searchlights were also demonstrated to visitors. Additionally, Illinois had two Sturtevant blowers, and used in an on-board machine shop.[3]

Crew

A detachment of officers, sailors, and marines, were assigned to the Illinois by the Navy Department. The crew performed standard drills and duties as they would on a functioning warship.[4] In addition to the crew assigned by the navy, custodial staff were attired in historic naval uniforms used between 1776 to 1848.[2] Illinois was commanded by Commodore Richard Worsam Meade,[5] and the Executive Officer was Lieutenant Commander E.D. Taussig,[6] who would later claim Wake Island during the Spanish-American War.