Ed,
>From what I understand the sides where made of Q. alba (white oak) That
>doesn't mean that Q. virginiana (live oak) wasn't used. From a website on the
>materials on the USS
>Consitution.(http://www.maritime.org/conf/conf-otton-mat.htm)
LIVE OAK TIMBER:
Live oak is not commercially harvested nor is it available through conventional
sources. As a consequence, the Navy acquires the needed live oak through
donations and works closely with private and public sectors to enable this
process.
Live oak grows in the southern states, e.g., Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas,
Texas. Principal sourcing contacts are the forestry service, cities, park
service, commercial logging companies, and private individuals that may share
the interest in acting as a resource for this much needed timber.
Places live oak timber was used in the Rehabilitation and Restoration of
Constitution:
Futtock and Top Timber
sided 11 1/2", molded 9" at the port sill.Pin Rails, Sheet Bitts, Fife Rail
Main Mast
Rails
1 ea. 5" X 13" X 17'
2 ea. 5" X 12-1/2" x 8'Sheet bitts
2 ea. 11" x 11" x 8'Stanchions
6 ea. 9-1/2" X 9-1/2" x 7'Coamings, Hatches, upper deck and gun deck.
Specifications:
Live oak materials to be a minimum of 20 inches diameter at the butt and
greater than 15 feet long.
Now this is what they used during her restoration. I heard during my visit to
her that they replaced the material for excatly what she had before.
Beth
Trees are the answer.--bumper sticker from Illinois Forest Association
