The Brown’s Ferry Vessel was moved to the third floor of the Rice Museum, Georgetown, SC, in 1992.  The 1710s coastal merchantman had been conserved at the Office of the State Archaeologist Conservation Laboratory for the seven years leading up to the move.  The roof of the museum was removed and the vessel was very carefully and precisely hoisted four stories into the sky and placed on the prepared floor exactly toeing the previously arranged marks. Success was achieved and everyone went home to prepare for the next phase.


The reconstruction phase lasted from 1992 through fall of 1998.  It too was successful with the vessel being reconstructed by hand with precisely fitted supports and 100s of feet of carefully cut and threaded stainless steel rod.  Normally the conclusion of a project spanning two decades would be a clarion call for Miller time!; there was just one small problem.  Half way through the reconstruction of the vessel and the restoration of the historic building containing the exhibit an architect had decided to unilaterally shift the position of the elevator 90 degrees.  Instead of the elevator opening into a commodious area parallel to the vessel it now opened immediately into the aft starboard section.  This change required that the elevator users be remarkably supple to avoid being impaled on the vessel’s futtocks and transom.

The elevator’s original intent had been to facilitate the physically challenged visitor’s ability to view the exhibit.  This was now in jeopardy.  Something had to be done, but what?  The only solution was to move the six ton reconstructed vessel forward six feet.

Three-inch hard wheel ball bearing supported casters attached to steel plates were the tools of choice.  “L” shaped attachment struts were produced from lumber and the casters attached to the struts.  The struts were than screwed securely to the 4 x 4 inch under scaffolding of the vessel. Additional 2 x 4’s were attached to the edges of the scaffolding and to the uprights located on the starboard side to ensure that all portions would move as a single unit.  A hand operated come-a-long was bolted to a short length of 4 x 4 and the whole unit was lag bolted to the third floor’s main support beam.  Chains were secured to the under scaffolding and the vessel made its way forward inch by inch.  Seven hours after the initiation of the move the vessel was in its new position.  It was safe, sound, and with plenty of space near the elevator to accommodate wheelchairs or other conveyance.

Large object conservation and exhibit calls for flexibility and creativity.  Fortunately, both the staff of the Rice Museum, the volunteers, and the staff at SCIAA are all up to the challenges.  We would like to specially acknowledge the sterling work of Mr. Bruce Brown of A and B Construction and his crew.  One would be hard pressed to find a more professional and capable group.  Funding for the work was provided by a grant by the Save America’s Treasures program.