South Carolina Live Oaks Saved For Historic Shipbuilding

By Christopher Amer

The Historic Ships Supply Program was started in 1993 by the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology at USC when researchers learned of the need for live oak timbers for the restoration of the USS Constitution.  A partnership was developed with the South Carolina Department of Transportation with the result that large live oak trees slated for unavoidable destruction as a result of bridge and road construction were saved for use in the USS Constitution restoration project.  With the major assistance of the US Marine Corps at Beaufort, SC, more than nine tons of live oak lumber was shipped to the Charlestown Navy Yard near Boston.  Since 1993, the program has been expanded to gather live oak from private residences and commercial development projects.  The wood is also made available to other historic ship projects in addition to the USS Constitution

Southern live oak has been used in ship construction since the 18th century.  Carolina built vessels were framed for their strength and durability - quality derived from the use of live oak for internal timbers used in the framework of the ships - these were called knees, floors, and frames.

The most recent project involves live oak trees being removed from Hilton Head Island, SC, for a new highway on the island which are being used to reconstruct the historical schooner AMISTAD at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, the nation's leading maritime museum.  AMISTAD director, Quentin T. Snediker, is very grateful for the contribution of live oak timber for the AMISTAD project.  The coastal ship earned a place in history after a slave revolt off Cuba.  For preservation shipbuilding, live oak is ideal.  Approximately 25 trees from Hilton Head Island, estimated to be 100-200 years old, will be used to reconstruct the AMISTAD.  Construction of the AMISTAD, scheduled to begin in the summer of 1997 at Mystic Seaport's Henry B. DuPont Preservation Shipyard, is expected to cost 2.5 million.

The dramatic AMISTAD story begins in 1839 when 53 Africans - 49 men, three girls, and one boy - were kidnapped from their homes in Western Africa and smuggled into Cuba, where they were sold as slaves.  Forced aboard the cargo ship, AMISTAD, the Africans were bound for a plantation in eastern Cuba when they revolted and attempted to sail for their homeland.

After drifting in the Atlantic Ocean for two months, the ship was discovered by the US Navy off Montauk Point, NY, and towed to New London, CN.  A federal trail followed, drawing international attention to the slaves' plight.  Federal District Judge Andrew T. Judson declared the Africans "free people," but President Martin Van Buren quickly ordered an appeal of the decision.  Now, more than 150 years later, the AMISTAD will sail again.  The ship will be used to foster cooperation and leadership among America's youth.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  The AMISTAD project will continue in the next issue of Legacy.