Another USS Constitution Question

From your description it sounds like it might have been the studding sail boom.  It swung out to support the bottom of the studding sails which were extended when sailing in light air.

Google "studding sails" and you'll see some pictures.

Mark

Thanks for the reply. That does sound logical.

I went on the Constitution back in 83 or 84 but it was the first of October and the government was shut down. There were no guided tours, the souvineer shop was shut down and about all you could do was walk around and look. The would be the best part anyhow.

From your description, it sounds to me like it might be the Knightshead, to which the anchors were secured. Was it mounted forward?

Bill Morrison

I followed RedCorvette's suggestion and googled studding sail booms, The first thing I saw was a picture of the Constitution which could have been taken from the TV show. It was the studding sail boom. Now, I am wondering why the star is painted on the end.

As a guess, there is an applique or wood or iron on the end grain of the boom to protect that weak spot in the timber. 

In the time-honored traditions of NCOs everywhere, any item observable to officers that can be decorative, shall be.  Whether white-washed rocks, brass rails, or linoleum floors.

Thus, contrasting paint color.

RE:

"In the time-honored traditions of NCOs everywhere, any item observable to officers that can be decorative, shall be.  Whether white-washed rocks, brass rails, or linoleum floors."

I was in the USAF in the 70's at Eglin AFB. IIRC, it was the 33rd MMS;  at the "Missile Shop" as we called it in the bomb dump - we painted the seashells used as mulch around the building a bright white...

We had the youngish weinies climbing around inside the bays on scaffolds and ladders painting the visible pipes and conduits hanging from the ceiling silver.

And of course our overflow parts trailer: good ol USAF inert munitions blue. By rattle-can no less.

Gotta love the USAF.