J-3_Conservation_Survey_and_Report_Part_3.pdf

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80 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

OBJECT GROUP Name Boards

NUMBER OF ITEMS 62

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The collection of name boards consists of large wooden boards bearing the names of various ships.

The boards are either painted, stained, or finished with a clear coat, possibly varnish. Many of the boards are carved from a single piece of wood, while other boards are made from two or more pieces of wood joined together. All of the boards contain letters that are painted directly on the wood or carved and then painted. Some are double-sided boards, having the names of other ships carved into the reverse.

These boards were mounted onto ships with iron brackets and/or bolts; a few boards still have their mounting mechanisms attached to the back. There are several boards that have iron hinges, which allow the top board to fold down over top of the bottom board. A large majority of the boards are of solid teak, although it is possible that some of the boards are comprised of redwood. The collection also includes two stainless steel boards with acrylic lettering, which is attached to the boards with threaded screws.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The boards display considerable weathering of wood, surface finishes, and iron components due to their exposure to the elements, including repeated wet and dry conditions, high and low temperatures, and direct sunlight. These extreme conditions have caused a roughening of wood surfaces and opening of joints, as well as splitting, checking, cracking, and loss of wood. Because of their exposure to excessively wet conditions, several boards also exhibit dry rot and localized black staining that appears to be mold. Prior insect infestation is evident on at least two boards, which have several perfectly round, ½-inch diameter holes that continue at right angles after penetration, running across the grain of the wood – an indication of carpenter bees. Other boards have several concave circular depressions along the edges, suggesting attempts at carpenter bee colonization. It appears that the carpenter bee activity is partially responsible for the dry rot found on some of the boards.

The finishes are also in relatively poor condition, with considerable discoloration, flaking, and loss on both the wood and iron components. Many of the boards have completely lost their finishes, except for the letters, which were probably repainted. Several boards have letters that exhibit numerous painting campaigns. Extensive corrosion is evident on exposed iron components, which has resulted in material loss and component failure. Also, iron corrosion staining can be observed on both the finishes and bare wood. Many of the boards were found to have smudges from fingerprints and shoe soles.

The two metal boards exhibit moderate corrosion of the stainless steel, and some of the acrylic letters have cracks. Accretions include paint splatters on both the board and letters.

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EXISTING STORAGE

The name boards are stored both in the secure room with climate control and in the warehouse space without climate control. Boards that are stored in the secure room are on the top shelves of metal shelving units that line three walls of this room. They are stacked one on top of the other, interleaved with thin sheets of Ethafoam. Sheets of Ethafoam also line the metal shelving units.

Boards that are stored in the warehouse area are stacked on top of three wooden pallets that rest on the top shelves of metal shelving units. Unlike the boards in the secure room, there is no Ethafoam sheets between the boards or between the boards and wooden pallets. Also, the boards overhang the pallet ends slightly.

There are two groupings of boards in the warehouse space and four groupings of boards in the secure room. In the secure room, the top shelves where the boards are stored are close to the dropdown ceiling, making it difficult to access, especially given the size and weight of these boards.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STORAGE

1. Provide inert Ethafoam padding on top of the wooden pallets as a separating layer between the pallets and the name boards. Interleave the boards with the same protective padding material.

2. To prevent dust from accumulating on the boards, loosely wrap each board in more durable

6-mil polyethylene sheeting.

3. Ultimately, the boards should be stored individually in a non-stacked position on appropriately-sized shelving. Until such time, boards that are within larger stacks should be separated to reduce the weight load. Bracket and hinge hardware should be removed to allow the boards to lay flat.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSERVATION TREATMENT

Although the name boards display considerable weathering, for the most part much of the deterioration is stable. A few boards are structurally unstable, which may cause more damage if not carefully handled, and several iron components exhibit considerable corrosion, which requires some cleaning and passivation.

Addressing the weathering of the wood and the finishes is a curatorial decision that requires some thought. Their current condition shows the use and history of the pieces, and one recommendation would be to clean and stabilize existing conditions rather than perform a full restoration. In some cases, however, complete restoration may be desired, especially for those boards that are in relatively good condition, in which existing damage and deterioration detracts rather than enhances their appearance. An example of this is the two steel boards, in which existing corrosion and paint accretions diminishes their overall aesthetic. Another example includes the name board from the vessel, “Lake.” This board is in good condition, but has some minor damage (scratches, loss of finishes) that can be addressed without undergoing a large-scale restoration effort.

Recommendations for conservation and stabilization include the following:

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1. To remove the heavy layer of dirt and dust, especially for the boards located in the warehouse area, perform a general cleaning using a museum HEPA vacuum with a brush nozzle attachment. Where needed, use a soft natural bristle brush to help remove dust from crevices. Removal of soiling should be performed prior to providing additional storage protection. Extra care will be required with signs that have flaking paint.

2. During cleaning, wipe down areas of black mold using an appropriate mildewcide such as unscented Lysol Disinfecting Spray. Apply mildewcide with lint free cloths or chemical wipes. Perform a final wipe with distilled water to remove mildewcide residues. Test to ensure finishes remain unaltered by treatment (does not fog or change color). Remove tar-like accretions observed on one board with an appropriate solvent, to be determined after testing.

3. Remove taped-on accession labels.

4. Remove all loose paint and active iron corrosion from iron components with wool pads and/or metal brushes, and/or by sanding with 80-grit sandpaper, and wipe away debris with a tack cloth moistened with denatured alcohol. An optional or additional treatment may include using a “rust convertor,” a latex-based coating that is used to convert the unstable corrosion into a stable, protective layer. On their own, the brackets and hinges are stable.

Treatment should be untaken at a time when curatorial display becomes necessary.

5. Given the loose and unstable nature of the bracket and hinge hardware for many of the boards, remove these items to allow the boards to lay flat and be more supported. Label removed hardware and record new storage location.

6. Important Note: Perform testing of all cleaning methods mentioned above prior to full-scale application to ensure surfaces are not adversely affected by the treatment.

VISUAL DOCUMENTATION

The name boards are stored in the warehouse space (left) as well as in the secure room (right). In both cases, they are stacked together on the top shelves of heavy-duty metal shelving units.

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A name board incorporating two separate boards (left) and another comprised of four boards joined together (right).

(Left) The two metal name boards in the collection, both belonging to the ship, “Cape Alexander.” (Right) Bright yellow acrylic letters are attached to the steel boards with threaded screws. Note the cracking in some of the letters.

Left) Painted wood name board with iron brackets and hinges. (Right) Both the wood and iron have paint finishes that exhibit considerable deterioration. Note also corrosion of the metal.

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Corrosion of iron components, including mount brackets (left) and screws (right).

Remnants of original staining as seen in areas on the back of a wood name board, where the brackets provided some protection against weathering (left) and on the sides, where the staining is peeling in a manner similar to a paint coat

(right).

Deterioration of the paint finishes, as seen within carved letters (left) and on the back of a wood board (right).

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Carved and painted letters (left) and letters painted directly on the board (right). Note dripping of wood stain within the white painted letters, indicating that care was not taken to provide protection for the letters during staining of the wood.

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OBJECT GROUP Plates and Signs

NUMBER OF ITEMS 27

The collection of plates and signs contains a variety of materials. Most are of metal, including bronze, brass, aluminum, lead, stainless steel, and chrome-plated bronze or brass. There are also

Bakelite plates and signs as well as a wood-framed paper certificate of merit. Some of the metal plates have a wood mount. The majority of the collection includes commemorative plates, but there are also boiler plates, engine plates, and ships’ signs. There is one capacity plan and one maneuvering characteristics plate.

The condition of the plates varies from very good to poor. The majority are in good condition, and five are considered to be poor. None were found to be in excellent condition. Conditional issues include tarnishing and corrosion of metals; mild to heavy soiling and greasy accretions; labels and adhesive residues; wear of plating material, bowing and distortion; pencil and felt marker writings;

paint splatters; cracking, scratches, and opening of joints on wood mounts; and water staining and mold of paper.

EXISTING STORAGE

Several plates are stored in a large open cardboard box that rests on a wood pallet sitting on the concrete floor. Most of these plates are wrapped with tissue paper. Unlike some of the other cardboard boxes used to store plates, this box has low sides. Other plates are stored along with builder’s plates in large boxes as well as small enclosed boxes. They are stored both vertically and horizontally, with Ethafoam sheeting or cardboard placed between plates. Most of the boxes are not archival. The large aluminum capacity plan was found standing on end with several others like it in the southwest corner of the room, beside a storage rack.

1. Provide archival boxes to store the plates, sectioning the collection into small groups of plates within each box. Remove any metal plates currently stored with the plastic builder’s plates and store separately.

2. If possible, and room allows, store the plates vertically in Ethafoam-padded slotted boxes to keep plates in place and prevent them from leaning against one another or falling over to one side. The longest length of the plate should sit horizontally and the shortest vertically.

3. Store the smaller signs separately on shelves.

4. Wrap plates in Tyvek and store flat on a shelf. To save on space, wrapped plates can be interleaved with Ethafoam sheeting or archival barrier board and stacked with the largest on the bottom. Interleaving material should cover each plate fully.

Although this collection has five plates categorized as poor, their condition is stable and does not require immediate intervention. The short-term recommendations are meant to prevent future damage, and include a general cleaning, in which the heavy layer of dust and dirt, greasy accretions, 88 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT labels, and significant corrosion products are removed. This should be undertaken prior to upgrading storage conditions.

1. Perform general cleaning of the plates using a soft bristle brush to remove loose dust from surfaces. If the brush has a metal ferrule, cover this with painter’s tape to prevent from scratching the object. For dried dirt that is firmly attached, use wooden probes to loosen.

The aid of a HEPA vacuum set at low suction will help to contain dust particulate.

2. Wipe away heavy grease residues with clean cloths (heavy-duty paper towels or chemical wipes). Reduce remaining residues by locally wiping with a clean cloth dampened with an appropriate solvent such as odorless mineral spirits.

3. For tenacious dirt, use a clean cotton cloth or cotton swab dampened with distilled water or a 3% solution of a conservation-grade detergent (Orvus WA Paste, Vulpex Liquid Soap, or

Triton X-100 Surfactant) in distilled water. If using the latter, ensure complete removal of detergent by wiping with distilled water alone at the end. Use a cotton cloth to wipe dry.

Do not immerse the artifact in the cleaning solution.

4. Reduce excessive corrosion by probing with wooden or plastic applicator sticks. Use suction from a HEPA vacuum as noted above to contain loose corrosion products. Perform localized cleaning of corroded areas with water method (for powdery corrosion) or solvent method (for waxy corrosion), as described above.

5. Remove the various labels, stickers, and tape remnants as needed because the adhesives within these products often promote the etching of finishes. This may require using wooden applicator sticks or stainless steel scalpels to remove the majority of the label and adhesive, followed by the application of cotton swabs dampened with either warm water or an appropriate solvent to clean away remaining residues.

6. Important Note: Test all cleaning methods on objects first prior to full-scale application to ensure surfaces are not adversely affected by the treatment.

(Left) A commemorative plate consisting of a brass plate on a wood mount. Note the barcode label on the brass surface. (Right) An engine plate on the left and boiler plate on the right. The engine plate is aluminum with a brass insert and the boiler appears to be bronze with polished letters and edges and an originally painted background.

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(Left and right) A white metal commemorative plate on a finished wood mount, exhibiting corrosion of metal and opening of joints and cracking of wood. Note corrosion of iron screws.

(Left and right) A bronze commemorative plate on a wood mount in poor condition. Note heavy oily accretions on the bronze and adjacent wood surfaces and open joints on the wood.

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Two Bakelite artifacts: a ship’s particulars plate (left) in good condition and a ship’s sign in fair condition (right).

(Left and right) A commemorative plate of cast aluminum with heavy soiling and greasy accretions. Grind marks on the sides appear be part of original finishing process after it was cast.

(Left) A plastic maneuvering characteristics plate in good condition and an aluminum capacity plan (made up of three indivivdual panels) in very good condition.

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OBJECT GROUP Repeater, Gyro

NUMBER OF ITEMS 28

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Most gyro repeaters are set on hollow circular stands fitted with a frame in which the repeater compass and gimbal are suspended. The stand bases are flanges with numerous holes for the insertion of bolts for mounting. The repeaters themselves have a solid metal conical shape to the vacuum chamber capsule. Several of the repeaters have metal covers to protect the glass face over the graduated dial face of the compass. Two repeaters are mounted to tripod stands, one of which has a plywood leaflet box fastened to it. Often the gyros have unfinished brass azimuth circles mounted to the edge of the compass bowls.

The majority of the gyro repeaters are comprised of both painted and unpainted brass, glass, electrical cord, plastic, and rubber. Lesser materials found are chrome and iron. Many have manufacturer’s plates mounted to side of the stand. Paint has been used as a coating system on all of the repeaters. In some instances, the presence of sheeting, drip marks, brush strokes, and voids in the top coat indicate that most have received multiple paint applications. One of the gyros in the group is mounted within a powder coated square stand with a ship’s steering wheel on the front, which makes it appear less like a gyro repeater and more like a wheel stand.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The conditions of the gyro repeaters vary from good to poor, with the majority categorized as fair.

There are two in good condition and three considered to be poor. By far, the most predominant conditional concern is with the paint coating system. Paint finishes were found to be flaking with large areas of loss, and most finishes are dull and chalky from exposure to an exterior environment.

Other conditional issues include: tarnishing and corrosion of brass; heavy dirt and grease/oil deposits and residues; stickers, labels, tape residues, and felt marking inscriptions; accretions; old polishing compound residues (which can promote corrosion); dents, scratches, and abrasions;

deterioration of synthetic materials such as plastic, rubber, and electrical cords; rust staining from corroding iron bolts and screws; and missing or broken components. Deterioration of the gasket material between the glass and brass was observed on one repeater. Another repeater has a non-original paint coating over its original powder coated finish.

EXISTING STORAGE

Most of the gyro repeaters are free standing on pallets, which are set on the floor under or adjacent to heavy-duty open storage racks. There are as many as eight gyro repeaters to a pallet. To keep the repeaters vertical during moving, heavy-duty non-archival cardboard has been wrapped around the sides of the repeaters at the perimeter of the pallet and strapped into place with heavy-duty nylon strapping. The two repeaters that have tripod stands are placed on a plastic pallet without bracing, separate from the other repeaters. Repeaters that do not have stands have been stored on open steel shelving lined with Ethafoam sheeting, balancing on their mount brackets and conical capsules. No dust covers are provided.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STORAGE

1. Center gyro repeaters on pallets, so that there is no overhanging of any portion of the repeaters beyond pallet edges.

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2. Remove load-stabilizing strapping and cardboard. Instead, construct open crating of 2 x 4 wood to provide stability and bracing of repeaters during movement. Seal wood with latex paint and pad with Ethafoam block. This may require reducing the number of gyro repeaters stored together on one pallet.

3. Given the top heavy nature of the gyro repeaters, use type 316 stainless steel bolts and large fender washers to bolt repeater stands directly to the pallet or to a plywood board that is fastened to the pallet. Three to four bolts per stand should suffice. Guard against overtightening the bolts to avoid ring impression from the washers on the object. Plywood should be sealed with two to three coats of latex paint. This should provide additional stability while moving the repeaters, and continued use of vertical storage to maximize storage space.

4. Provide custom-cut Ethafoam blocking to position under and around gyro repeaters that are placed on open shelving to add support and stability, should custom-padded archival boxes be unavailable to house the artifacts.

5. Drape or wrap repeaters with 4-mil polyethylene sheeting to prevent future dust accumulations.

Although there are three gyro repeaters considered as poor, their condition is stable and does not require immediate intervention. As part of curatorial requirements of display, failing paint systems should be removed and replaced and exposed brass components polished. Further research and analysis are required to determine the original paint scheme and/or appropriate restoration efforts.

The repeater with a powder coating should have the overpaint entirely removed and not be repainted.

The following immediate conservation treatment steps are based on maintaining a stable condition for this object group:

1. Clean away loose surface dirt and dust using natural bristle brushes and light suction from a HEPA vacuum. Wrap brushes that have metal ferrules with painter’s tape to prevent scratches, and screen the intake of the vacuum with a fine mesh to prevent pieces of the object from getting trapped within the vacuum. Use wooden applicator sticks or plastic probes to dislodge adherent dirt and old polishing compound lodged within recesses.

2. Wipe away heavy grease and polishing compound residues with clean cloths (heavy-duty paper towels or chemical wipes) and cotton swabs dampened with an appropriate solvent such as odorless mineral spirits.

3. For tenacious dirt and remnants of polishing compound residues, use a clean cotton cloth or cotton swab dampened with distilled water or a 3% solution of a conservation-grade detergent (Orvus WA Paste, Vulpex Liquid Soap, or Triton X-100 Surfactant) in distilled water. If using the latter, ensure complete removal of detergent by wiping with distilled water alone at the end. Use a cotton cloth to wipe dry. Do not immerse the artifact in the cleaning solution.

4. Remove the various labels, stickers, and tape remnants because the adhesives within these products often promote corrosion and etching of finishes. This may require using wooden applicator sticks or scalpels to remove the majority of the adhesive, followed by the application of cotton swabs dampened with either warm water or an appropriate solvent to clean away remaining residues.

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5. Reduce excessive corrosion by probing with wooden or plastic applicator sticks. Use suction from a HEPA vacuum as noted above to contain loose corrosion products. Perform localized cleaning of corroded areas with water method (for powdery corrosion) or solvent method (for waxy corrosion), as described above.

6. Important Note: Test all cleaning methods on objects first prior to full-scale application to ensure surfaces are not adversely affected by the treatment.

(Left and right) Storage of the gyro repeaters, freestanding on plastic pallets and wrapped with heavy-duty cardboard boxes. Nylon strapping provides added support.

(Left and right) This repeater has a cover to the compass. The paint finishes exhibit flaking and loss, and are dull and chalky. Note the duct tape wrapped around the stand and black felt marker writing at top.

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(Left and right) A gyro repeater with no stand. Note heavy soiling on glass, as well as flaking and loss of paint coating with tarnishing and corrosion of brass.

(Left) This gyro repeater is effectively a steering stand. Its original powder coated finish has been covered by a coating of paint. (Right) Two gyro repeaters with tripod stands are placed on a plastic pallet without any bracing, creating potentially hazardous conditions.

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OBJECT GROUP Sextants

NUMBER OF ITEMS 12

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Each sextant is comprised of a small telescope fixed to a frame that pivots over a graduated arc at the bottom by use of a lever and a handle. Materials consist of finished and unfinished brass, glass, synthetic leather-like cover material, Bakelite and other plastics, nickel and chrome plating, and rubber.

Most sextants are housed within a felt- or foam-lined wooden box. The remaining sextants are housed in boxes that are furnished with wooden spacers and brackets, some of which have been padded with synthetic felt. Some of the interiors of these boxes are unfinished. All of the boxes are fitted with brass or aluminum latches and hinges, metal or plastic handles, and rubber feet.

Additionally, manufacturer’s literature and sextant accessories are found tucked inside many of the boxes.

Wood species varies from box to box; however, oak and mahogany appear to be the main types used in their construction. Wood finish appears to be clear or semi-transparent colored varnish or shellac. The high gloss and “white water” appearance of some of the finishes to the boxes may be indicative of a shellac base finish known as a “French Polish.” One sextant is stored within an injection-molded plastic case.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

Most of the sextants are sound and have conditional ratings from excellent to fair. None were found to be in poor condition, and only two were considered fair. A couple of the sextants in excellent condition appeared to be new. Common conditional issues include: minor to moderate tarnishing and corrosion; minimal loss of finishes; labels, stickers, and tape adhesive residues; and scratches and abrasions. At least two sextants appear to be missing some components, and one has slight fogging of the rubber eye piece.

Finishes remain adherent and stable for most boxes; however, scratches, wear, abrasions, and soiling can be observed on all, the degree of which varies from mild to severe. Several boxes have separation of wood joints, cracking, gouges, scratches, and loose hinges. It should be noted that the condition of the boxes does not always match that of the sextants. For example, there is one sextant in excellent condition within a box that is poor. The latter conditional rating is due to cracking, a small loss to the wood veneer, tape residues, a missing part of the fastener, a loose component, and a cracked handle.

EXISTING STORAGE

The sextants are placed on an open steel shelving unit set in the middle of the secure room. The shelves have been lined with Ethafoam sheeting to pad the artifacts. All sextants are stored within their original boxes. No dust covers are provided.

1. Remove sextants and accessories from their original boxes and store separately, since the volatile compounds from the unfinished wood, plastic, and foam lining of these boxes can

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contribute to the corrosion of the brass and deterioration of any synthetic materials (plastics, rubber). Provide archival tags and label accordingly.

2. Wrap sextants and accessories in archival packing materials such as acid-free tissue and place within polyethylene bags to prevent the accumulation of dust, should custom-padded archival boxes be unavailable to house artifacts. (Ideally, the sextants should be stored within archival boxes, but due to lack of space, this may not be possible.)

3. The sextant with Bakelite plastic and rubber components should be placed in archival trays with appropriate padding and draped with a piece of acid-free tissue or Tyvek to prevent dust accumulation and allow ventilation of any volatile compounds that the synthetic materials may emit.

4. To slow the degradation of the synthetic materials used in this collection, sextants with these materials should be stored under the environment conditions of a) a cooler room temperature of 60°F, b) a relative humidity of around 40%, c) good air ventilation, and d) low to no light.

5. Drape shelving with 4-mil polyethylene sheeting to reduce dust accumulations on the artifacts.

The majority of this collection is in good to excellent condition. Although a few wood boxes are considered to be poor, their condition is stable, especially if kept stored within a climate-controlled environment. Stabilizing flaking finishes and polishing tarnished brass should be performed as deemed necessary as part of curatorial requirements for display. The wood boxes will require greater efforts to restore.

The following immediate conservation treatment steps are based on maintaining a stable condition for the object group:

1. Clean away surface dirt and dust using natural bristle brushes and light suction from a HEPA vacuum. Wrap brushes that have metal ferrules with painter’s tape to avoid scratches and screen the intake of the vacuum with a fine mesh to prevent pieces of the object from getting trapped within the vacuum. Use wooden applicator sticks or plastic probes to dislodge adherent dirt.

2. For tenacious dirt, use a clean cotton cloth or cotton swab dampened with distilled water or a 3% solution of a conservation-grade detergent (Orvus WA Paste, Vulpex Liquid Soap, or

Triton X-100 Surfactant) in distilled water. If using the latter, ensure complete removal of detergent by wiping with distilled water alone at the end. Use a cotton cloth to wipe dry.

Do not immerse the artifact in the cleaning solution.

3. Remove the various labels, stickers, and tape remnants because the adhesives within these products often promote corrosion and etching of finishes. This may require using wooden applicator sticks or scalpels to remove the majority of the adhesive, followed by the application of cotton swabs dampened with either warm water or an appropriate solvent to remove remaining residues.

4. Wipe boxes with a clean microfiber cloth to remove dirt. If needed, a slight dampening of the cloth with distilled water may be used to work off adherent grime.

5. Important Note: Perform testing of all cleaning methods mentioned above locally and individually on all objects prior to full-scale application to ensure surfaces are not adversely

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affected by the treatment. This is particularly true of shellac finishes, which are sensitive to prolonged contact with water.

(Left and right) A sextant in excellent condition stored inside a foam-lined box. The box is considered to be in good condition because of some damage to corners, a crack at top, and a gouge on the side with associated paint accretions.

Note the high gloss “white water” appearance of the finished wood, which could be an indication of a shellac-based “French Polish” finish.

Detailed view of a sextant in excellent condition (left) and in very good condition (right).

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(Left and right) A wooden box in fair condition, with scratches and abrasions, opening of joints, fading of finishes, tarnishing of brass components, and labels.

(Left and right) A painted and exposed brass sextant exhibiting some soiling and minor corrosion.

A painted and exposed brass and plastic sextant (left) stored inside a molded plastic case (right). Note the white bloom (a sign of deterioration) on the rubber of the eyepiece and tape adhesive residues on the front of the case.

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OBJECT GROUP Clocks, Ship’s

NUMBER OF ITEMS 43

The collection of ships’ clocks consists mainly of wall-mount clocks made of either brass or Bakelite.

There is also a modern electric clock that is made entirely of (non-Bakelite) plastic, except for the metal brackets and clasps on the back. It appears to be the only clock that is operated by battery.

The largest clock (a Bakelite) is approximately 10” wide x 2 ¾” high, while the smallest (a brass) is approximately 5 ½” wide by 1 ½” high. Most of the clocks have a mechanical spring mechanism that requires winding with a key to start the timepiece. This wind key appears to be missing from most clocks.

Several of the Bakelite clocks are mounted onto wooden stands, which make them look like mantle clocks. These mounts do not appear to be original to the clocks; most likely, they were added at a later date as a way to display the clocks off the wall. The mounts are both painted and stained.

There are two brass clocks that are stored inside wooden cases, which appear to be the original housing containers for the clocks.

All of the Bakelite clocks contain a hinged door with a single threaded nut that is used to seal or shut the glass cover of the clock. The majority of the brass clocks are opened by twisting off the glass cover or top from the bottom case. A few brass clocks, however, have a hinged door with a side button, which is pressed to unlock the door. One has a hinged door and clasp.

Many of the Bakelite clocks have brass pins; some, however, have iron pins, which have corroded.

While the corrosion has made some hinges inoperable, it does not appear to be active. Almost all have labels and tape adhesive residues on the front and/or back. Several have been painted, mostly black in color, except for one, which is painted a golden metallic color, perhaps to simulate a brass clock. These coatings, which exhibit some deterioration, do not appear to be original to the clocks.

A few of the clocks have paint accretions, and one has significant overspray of paint, which could be from painting the ship’s walls without providing proper protection for the clock. There are a few

Bakelite clocks on wooden stands that are not properly secured to their mounts, creating some instability. Also, two of these mounts exhibit noticeable cracking of the wood, one of which is severe enough to pose hazardous conditions. The finishes on the wood mounts show some wear.

Originally, the brass clocks would have been highly polished, but now most show some form of tarnishing. Although several retain polished surfaces, they are often mottled with spots of tarnish.

Additionally, several of the clocks display mild to moderate corrosion, with two showing a more advanced state. Except for the cracked wooden bases of the Bakelite clocks, these two brass clocks are considered to be the only ones in poor condition. (The Bakelite clocks themselves are not in poor condition, just their wood mounts.) Other conditional issues observed on the brass clocks include labels and tape adhesive residues, chips or breaks in the glass, loose components, and paint accretions. Additionally, polishing compound residues can be observed on several of these clocks.

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EXISTING STORAGE

The clocks are stored on Ethafoam-padded metal shelves located in the center of the secure room.

The two brass clocks with wooden boxes are kept inside their boxes, while the Bakelite clocks on wooden stands remain mounted, located on the top shelf without any additional cushioning or support. No dust covers are provided.

1. Remove the brass clocks that are currently contained within their wooden boxes and store separately. Label accordingly with archival tags to ensure matching each clock to its respective box.

2. Remove Bakelite clocks from their wooden mounts and store separately, if possible. Label accordingly with archival tags to ensure matching each clock to its respective mount.

Bakelite clocks should be placed in archival trays with appropriate padding and draped with a piece of acid-free tissue or Tyvek to prevent dust accumulation and allow ventilation of any volatile compounds that the synthetic materials may emit.

3. Wrap brass clocks in archival packing materials such as acid-free tissue and place within polyethylene bags to prevent the accumulation of dust, should custom padded archival boxes be unavailable to house the artifacts. (Ideally, the clocks should be stored within archival boxes cushioned with acid-free tissue and inert foam material, but due to lack of space, this may not be possible.)

4. To slow the degradation of the synthetic materials used in this collection, Bakelite clocks should be stored under the environmental conditions of a) a cooler room temperature of 60°F, b) a relative humidity of around 40%, c) good air ventilation, and d) low to no light.

5. Drape shelving with 4-mil polyethylene to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris on the artifacts.

For the most part, the collection of ship’s clocks is in relatively stable condition. The exception to this includes the two brass clocks with advanced and active corrosion. The cracked wooden mounts of two Bakelite clocks also present some concern. Recommendations for these clocks and remaining collection are as follows:

1. Perform general cleaning of Bakelite and brass clocks if providing archival protection and/or polyethylene sheeting. Use a soft bristle brush to remove loose dust from surfaces. If the brush has a metal ferrule, cover this with painter’s tape to prevent from scratching the object. For dried dirt that is firmly attached, use a stippling brush or wooden toothpicks/bamboo skewers to loosen. The aid of a HEPA vacuum set at low suction will help to contain dust particulate.

2. For tenacious dirt, use a clean cotton cloth or cotton swab dampened with distilled water or a 3% solution of a conservation-grade detergent (Orvus WA Paste, Vulpex Liquid Soap, or

Triton X-100 Surfactant) in distilled water. If using the latter, ensure complete removal of detergent by wiping with distilled water alone at the end. Use a cotton cloth to wipe dry.

Do not immerse the artifact in the cleaning solution.

101 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

3. If polishing compounds are not removed with cleaning above, spot clean these areas with wooden probes (the sharp end of a bamboo skewer) and/or cotton swabs. Dampen swabs with odorless mineral spirits as needed, testing beforehand to determine stability of finishes.

4. For the two brass clocks in poor condition, remove excessive corrosion by successive wiping with distilled water, using a clean cotton cloth. Any hard bits of corrosion products can be loosened and removed with a wooden or stainless steel probe.

5. Remove the various labels, stickers, and tape remnants as needed because the adhesives within these products often promote corrosion and etching of finishes. This may require using wooden applicator sticks or stainless steel scalpels to remove the majority of the label and adhesive, followed by the application of cotton swabs dampened with either warm water or an appropriate solvent to clean away remaining residues.

6. Ensure loose components are identified and secured to prevent any future damage. Method of securement will be dependent on noted conditions after an inspection of each artifact.

There appear to be at least three clocks requiring this: two with loose glass and one with an unidentified loose component within the clock. There is also a clock with a loose dial hand that should be secured to prevent additional harm.

7. As indicated above, the wooden mounts at this time require only separating the unstable ones from their clocks. The cracks do not require immediate repairs.

8. Inspect iron pins for corrosion, and remove only those pins that can be easily detached.

Clean off corrosion, wash well, dry, degrease, and passivate. Reinsert back into hinge. This is an involved treatment that might be best as part of a restoration effort, given that the corrosion does not appear to be active, especially if the clocks are kept in a climate controlled environment. A careful inspection will determine if there are any pins requiring immediate removal.

Storage of the Bakelite clocks on wooden mounts (left) and of brass and non-mounted Bakelite clocks (right).

102 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

(Left) A loose component on one of the brass clocks. (Right) Considerable tarnishing of a metal clock, with labels, tape, and adhesive residues on brass and glass surfaces.

(Left and right) The two brass clock considered to be in poor condition, both of which exhibit tarnishing and advanced powdery blue-green corrosion. Note stickers on the glass.

Two Bakelite clocks, one in good condition with some wear of finishes (left) and one in fair condition, with overpaint on Bakelite surfaces and heavy wear of finishes (right).

103 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

(Left and right) Front and back of the modern non-Bakelite plastic clock. It is battery operated, as seen on the back.

The plastic dial cover has considerable tape adhesive residues.

(Left) A corroding iron pin on a Bakelite clock. (Right) A brass clock stored in its original wooden case, which is lined with a synthetic felt material.

104 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

OBJECT GROUP Stands, Wheel

NUMBER OF ITEMS 6

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

All of the wheel stands are approximately waist high with navigational equipment such as steering wheels, rudder angle indicators, and gyro repeaters. Four are a console-style wheel stand, having a square column shape with an angled top. The fifth stand is comprised of flanged pipes stacked and bolted together, while the sixth stand has a circular column with a bulbous top. There is no wheel to this sixth stand; however, mounted into the top is a circular brass with a graduated arc etched into the surface and an indicator arm. It is possible that this is to indicate rudder angle.

Materials used in the fabrication of the stands include powder coated aluminum, painted and unpainted brass, chrome plating, plastic rubber, electrical cord, glass, and iron. In some instances, the presence in the paint of drip marks, brush strokes, sheeting, and voids indicate that most of the stands have received multiple paint applications. For some, it is clear that the overpaint is non-original.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The condition of the stands varies from good to poor, with most in fair condition and only one considered as poor. Common conditional issues include: tarnishing of exposed brass; old polishing compound residues (which can promote corrosion); losses and flaking of paint; wear of finishes;

scratches and abrasions; greasy deposits and residues (sometimes quite heavy); stickers, labels, tape residues, and felt marking inscriptions; and deterioration of synthetic materials such as plastic, rubber, and electrical cords. One wheel stand appears to have been originally powder coated, but now has a paint layer covering most of the original finish.

EXISTING STORAGE

All but one of the stands are freestanding on plastic pallets set on the floor under open heavy-duty storage racks. Some of the stands are grouped on pallets with other artifacts. The non-freestanding stand is placed on its side and grouped on a pallet with two telegraphs. To immobilize the stands during moving, they have been strapped to each pallet with nylon bands. No dust covers are provided.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STORAGE

1. Center stands on pallets so that there is no overhang of any portion of the stand beyond pallet edges.

2. Remove load-stabilizing strapping.

3. Because of the top-heavy nature of the wheel stands, construct open crating of 2 x 4 wood to provide stability and bracing of stands during movement. The addition of extra blocking around the base of each stand should prevent them from shifting on pallets during moving.

Wood should be sealed with latex paint and padded with Ethafoam block.

4. For the stand that is lying on its side, retrofit pallet with Ethafoam-cushioned painted blocks of wood and Ethafoam blocking to create slots into which the stand (and telegraphs) will fit to prevent rocking and shifting of the palletized items during movement. The addition of materials will also provide added support for the artifacts to prevent wear.

5. Insert Ethafoam padding between the plastic strap and artifact.

6. Drape stands with 4-mil polyethylene sheeting to prevent future dust accumulations.

105 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

Although one wheel stand is considered poor, its condition is stable and does not require immediate treatment other than what is recommended above under storage and below for all stands. As for long-term efforts, failing paint systems should be removed and replaced and exposed brass components polished as part of curatorial requirements of display. Curatorial consideration should be given as to whether some wheel stands should be repainted at all, since during inspection several appear to have had multiple painting campaigns, which makes the original paint scheme difficult to determine. Also, there is one powder coated stand that should not have a paint coating. Further research and analysis are required to determine the paint scheme and/or appropriate restoration efforts.

The following immediate conservation treatment steps are based on providing a stable condition for this object group:

1. Clean away loose surface dirt and dust using natural bristle brushes and light suction from a HEPA vacuum. Wrap brushes that have metal ferrules with painter’s tape to avoid scratches to the object, and screen the intake of the vacuum with a fine mesh to prevent pieces of the object from getting trapped within the vacuum. Use wooden applicator sticks or plastic probes to dislodge adherent dirt and old polishing compound lodged within recesses.

2. Wipe away heavy grease residues with clean cloths (heavy-duty paper towels or chemical wipes) and cotton swabs dampened with an appropriate solvent such as odorless mineral spirits.

3. For tenacious dirt and remnants of polishing compound residues, use a clean cotton cloth or cotton swab dampened with distilled water or a 3% solution of a conservation-grade detergent (Orvus WA Paste, Vulpex Liquid Soap, or Triton X-100 Surfactant) in distilled water. If using the latter, ensure complete removal of detergent by wiping with distilled water alone at the end. Use a cotton cloth to wipe dry. Do not immerse the artifact in the cleaning solution.

4. Remove the various labels, stickers, and tape remnants because the adhesives within these products often promote corrosion and etching of finishes. This may require using wooden applicator sticks or scalpels to remove the majority of the adhesive, followed by the application of cotton swabs dampened with either warm water or an appropriate solvent to clean away remaining residues.

5. Important Note: Test all cleaning methods prior to full-scale application to ensure surfaces are not adversely affected by the treatment.

106 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

(Left) A wheel stand in fair condition stored on a plastic pallet along with other artifacts. Note mild tarnishing of brass and soiling and deterioration of paint finishes. (Right) Two wheel stands stored alongside a gyro repeater, which resembles the stands.

(Left) Heavy pooling of grease/oil on the front of the wheel stand, which has promoted the deterioration of the paint finish. (Right) The shield to the auto-steering box is broken.

107 MARAD HERITAGE ASSETS CONSERVATION SURVEY AND REPORT

(Left and right) A painted brass wheel stand with no wheel, stored on a pallet with engine order telegraphs. It is the only one in poor condition due corrosion of metal where exposed, deterioration of paint finishes, and heavy grease accretions. Note also the multiple paint applications.

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OBJECT GROUP Wheels, Metal

NUMBER OF ITEMS 46

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In general, the object group consists of metal ship wheels, the size of which varies from small (18-inch diameter) to large (48-inch diameter). Most medium wheels are approximately 40 inches in diameter. The wheels have been fabricated by the welding together of tubular metal, casting methods, or cutting from sheet metal. The main material types in the wheels are iron and brass, often with an applied paint coating system. A subset of small steering wheels was found to have a black powder coated finish.

Some brass wheels have been chrome plated, while several have the entire wheel rim wrapped in fiber cordage. A number of wheels have a steering-assisting Brodie knob installed on the front. The spokes for many of these wheels are an add-on component, which are threaded into the wheel.

Many of the spoke ends have rubber grips. King spokes are frequently identified with either rope and twine knots or grooves. Quite a few wheels have nave plates attached to their hubs.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

The conditions of the metal wheels vary from very good to poor. The vast majority is in fair condition, several are in good condition, and only a few are considered poor or very good. The deterioration of paint coatings is the most common issue. Paint finishes exhibit flaking with large areas of loss, and most finishes are dull and chalky from exposure to an exterior environment.

Corrosion of the metal is not excessive and generally localized. Most of the noted corrosion products appear as deep green colored waxy patches and are induced by grease and oil residues.

Typical powdery blue-green corrosion is sparse and localized, and for the most part appears to be stable.

Additional common observations on the condition of the metal wheels include the following:

tarnishing of exposed brass; greasy deposits and residues (sometimes quite heavy, especially on or around the hub); stickers, labels, tape residues, and felt marking inscriptions; paint accretions;

polishing compound residues (which can promote corrosion); dents, scratches, and abrasions;

cracking in rubber grips; and bent spokes.

EXISTING STORAGE

Most wheels are housed vertically together within large non-archival heavy-duty cardboard boxes.

There are as many as many sixteen wheels to a box, with all of the wheels standing on their spokes.

Where boxes are not full, the wheels lean against one another. Heavy archival board is used as interleafing to reduce contact between the wheels. The boxes have been placed onto plastic pallets to elevate them off of the floor, with nylon strapping tying the boxes to the pallet to prevent slipping of the box during movement.

A whole set of smaller ship wheels are placed on an open steel shelving unit set in the southwest corner of the secure room. They are set on their spoke ends on the wire mesh shelving.