Battleship Illinois (replica)

Illinois was a detailed, full scale mockup of an Indiana-class battleship, constructed as a naval exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893.

Background

In the decade preceding the Columbian Exposition, the United States Navy initiated a fleet modernization program. Sometimes referred to as the 'New Navy', the first steel-hulled warships were constructed to replace the wooden and ironclad ships from the American Civil War period. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/new-navy3.htm] In 1891, the first class of modern American battleships, the "Indiana"-class, was laid down. These warships included modern technologies absent in their Civil War-era predecessors, particularly electricity and electrically-driven devices.

When the Columbian Exposition was being planned, it was decided to showcase this new naval technology. However, the Rush-Bagot Treaty forbade warships to operate on the Great Lakes. So it was decided that a full scale replica of a battleship would be constructed. This mock-up would permit the demonstration of new technologies being used in the "Indiana"-class warships. In keeping with the Navy's policy of naming battleships after states and in honor of the Exposition's location, the facsimile battleship was called "Illinois".

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. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/bb-1.htm]

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, coated with cement. The hull structure was carefully constructed to match the contour of the "Indiana"-class warships.cite book |title=Electricity at the Columbian Exposition |last=Barett |first=J.P. |year=1894 |publisher=R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company |pages= 454|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CLtIAAAAMAAJ ]

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.cite book |title=Electricity at the Columbian Exposition |last=Barett |first=J.P. |year=1894 |publisher=R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company |pages= 454|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CLtIAAAAMAAJ ] 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.cite book |title=Electricity at the Columbian Exposition |last=Barett |first=J.P. |year=1894 |publisher=R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company |pages=454|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CLtIAAAAMAAJ ]

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.cite book |title=Electricity at the Columbian Exposition |last=Barett |first=J.P. |year=1894 |publisher=R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company |pages=454-456|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CLtIAAAAMAAJ ]

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 motor. The wiring on "Illinois" was done in accordance to naval regulations and was completely watertight.cite book |title=Electricity at the Columbian Exposition |last=Barett |first=J.P. |year=1894 |publisher=R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company |pages= 454-456|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CLtIAAAAMAAJ ]

"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.cite book |title=Electricity at the Columbian Exposition |last=Barett |first=J.P. |year=1894 |publisher=R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company |pages= 454-456|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CLtIAAAAMAAJ ]

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.cite book |title=The Official Directory of the World's Columbian Exposition, May 1 to October 23th, 1893. |last=Handy |first=Moses |year=1893 |publisher=W. B. Gonkey Company |pages= 149|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4bVIAAAAMAAJ ] In addition to the crew assigned by the navy, custodial staff were attired in historic naval uniforms used between 1776 to 1848. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/bb-1.htm] "Illinois" was commanded by Commodore R.W. Meade, and the Executive Officer was Lieutenant Commander E.D. Taussig,cite book |title=The Official Directory of the World's Columbian Exposition, May 1 to October 23th, 1893. |last=Handy |first=Moses |year=1893 |publisher=W. B. Gonkey Company |pages= 32|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4bVIAAAAMAAJ ] who would later claim Wake Island during the Spanish-American War.

Disposition

Plans were made to move "Illinois" seven miles north to the waterfront at the foot of Van Buren street, upon completion of the exposition.cite journal |title=The Illinois Naval Reserve. "Outing", vol. XXIV, No. 6. |last=Burke |first=W. H. |year=1894 |pages= 472, 473|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=UY5hAAAAIAAJ&printsec=titlepage#PPA473,M1 ] Despite skepticism that moving her was feasible, some foundation pilings were reportedly laid down at the new location starting 13 June 1894.cite journal |title=The Illinois Naval Reserve. "Outing", vol. XXIV, No. 6. |last=Burke |first=W. H. |year=1894 |pages= 473|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=UY5hAAAAIAAJ&printsec=titlepage#PPA473,M1 ]

However, this plan was never fully realized, and like many of the other buildings constructed for the Columbian Exposition, "Illinois" was dismantled some time after the expo closed October 1893.

References