U.S.S. Olympia
BERTHDECK, COALING AND ASH CHUTES
|
Privacy is certainly lacking for the common seaman. Note the seabags hung on the bulkhead in the background. Second photo shows a scuttlebutt. It apparently served water chilled by the ice machine. Third is the ice machine that supplied cold air to the reefer (refrigerated food storage), scuttlebutt and one could assume, officer's drinks. The forth photo is of the firemen's washroom. These are closely placed to the areas photographed immediately below. |
|
|
The first photo shows an ash hoist and tracks that lead outboard to the chute. The next shows the chute at the receiving end and is fed by two hoists as indicated by the tracks. The third shows a view of both an ash chute and coaling scuttle. Next is a close-up of one of the many steam powered winches used on the ash hoists. Fifth is a close-up of a coal scuttle. I did not have a chance to ask about it, but it appears that at least some of the bunkers could be directly coaled from outside. Because of some of the steam winch placements and what appear to be round scuttles located on the deck, I assume that some bunkers were loaded by dragging bags and dumping them on the deck. I would happily accept confirmation or correction on this. |
|
|
The above photos were taken in officers' country and are self explanatory. The exquisite joinery beats green paint any day! According to Mr. McSherry, we have Commodore Dewey to thank for getting to enjoy it since the Olympia was the only major ship at Manila that did not tear out all of its woodwork and throw it overboard in preparation for the upcoming battle. The last photo is of a skylight that not only performed very well in flooding light into the space, but was a beautiful piece of equipment in its own right. |
|
|
First photo is of the steam powered anchor windlass. It is located far forward, ahead of the hoist to the forward turret. The next three are photos at different angles that look down at one of the engines. It was very difficult to keep from stepping over the knee-high gate and sneaking a quick tour of the engine room. |