Transportation

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  Caliper

  Description

  A fairly crude caliper like this one was used for approximate measurements only, during the "rough" cutting of a diameter down to size. In the final, fine stage of a lathe cut, a much more precise caliper was used. A large caliper like this one was used by a machinist when operating a large lathe or vertical boring mill, making very large parts. The lathe might be an immense wheel lathe, one that "trued" the wheel treads of locomotive and railroad-car wheels. Or it might be a lathe for axles, in which the outer ends of each axle were machined for later fitting of wheels by a wheel press.

  This tool is part of a collection of hand tools used in the inspection and repair of steam locomotives in Salisbury, North Carolina from the early- to the mid-20th century, roughly 1900-1955. Light repairs on steam locomotives were usually done in roundhouses at the many small locomotive terminals throughout a railroad's system; heavy repairs were done in a large, centralized repair shop serving the whole system (often referred to as the "Back Shop").

  Date made

  1930s

  Associated Date

  1820-Present

  maker

  unknown

  ID Number

  2002.0075.05

  accession number

  2002.0075

  catalog number

  2002.0075.05

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  Titanic Gold Medal

  Description

  Founded in 1904 by wealthy financier Andrew Carnegie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission (CHFC) exists to honor acts of individual civilian heroism in the United States and Canada. It is still active today; recipients include both the living, the dead, and persons directly affected by the loss of a heroic relative.

  The emotional impact on the general public of the April 1912 loss of the ocean liner Titanic was astonishing, and the continually updated story lasted for months in the contemporary newspapers. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Commission felt inspired to honor all the heroes who had risked their lives in the rescue of the 700 passengers, so at their April 26, 1912 meeting they authorized a nine-oz. 22-k gold medal to be struck, mounted in an elaborate bronze base, inscribed and presented to the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian accepted the gift and displayed it before adding it to the National Numismatics Collection in the National Museum of American History.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  ca 1912

  maker

  Flanagan, John

  ID Number

  NU.13650

  accession number

  54893

  catalog number

  13650

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  Whale Harpoons, or Temple Toggle Irons

  Description

  While the African American blacksmith and former slave Lewis Temple did not invent the harpoon toggle, his invention made it better. The first barb at the tip of the toggle iron was designed to penetrate the whale’s flesh. The second barb also went straight in. A small wooden peg holding the lower barb in place would then break when the whale pulled away, allowing the barbed head to swivel away from the shaft. The new T-shape of the barb prevented the dart from pulling out of its wound.

  It was a harpooner’s responsibility to keep his tools sharp and well lubricated, to ensure that the toggle swiveled freely. Sometimes the men fashioned covers for the heads of their harpoons to keep them clean and dry until needed for use.

  One of these irons, or gigs, is shown in the closed position for entering the whale’s flesh; the other is toggled open to show how much harder it was to pull out.

  Date made

  1882

  inventor

  Temple, Lewis

  ID Number

  AG.056244

  catalog number

  056244

  accession number

  012284

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  Cast Iron Whale

  Description

  The words “BAKER NEW BEDFORD.” appear on the back of this cast-iron sperm whale, which has two mounting lugs on the bottom for fastening to a flat surface. These features suggest that it was a shop sign for one of the many stores in New Bedford, Massaschusetts that provided items to whalers needed for their dirty and dangerous business. In the 1878 New Bedford city directory, the only person listed with the surname Baker was Ansol Baker, a machinist.

  New Bedford was the largest American whaling port in the industry, which flourished until the Civil War and lasted into the early 20th century.

  Date made

  19th century

  possible owner of sign

  Baker, Ansol

  ID Number

  CL.25052

  catalog number

  25052

  accession number

  2009.0157

  catalog number

  2009.0157.01

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  Sperm Whale Tooth Watch Stand

  Description

  Scrimshaw known to have been made specifically for men is comparatively rare. This unfinished tooth was hollowed out at the back to carry a gentleman’s pocket watch inside, perhaps set on a wardrobe, a bureau or a dressing table overnight.

  Patriotic imagery was very popular on American scrimshaw. At the top is a large eagle in flight clutching arrows and an olive branch; the hole for the watch is framed by a simple scalloped line. The space at the bottom was probably reserved for the owner’s initials or possibly a date, and the two holes were likely drilled for ivory buttons. The piece was unfinished when it was donated in 1875 by J. H. Clark of Newport, R.I.

  date made

  19th century

  Associated Date

  collected

  ID Number

  DL.024905

  catalog number

  024905

  accession number

  4331

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  New Bedford Whaleship Crew List

  Description

  Every whaling voyage began with assembling a crew from whatever labor pool was available in a port city at a particular time. In New Bedford in late May 1876, 31 men signed to work aboard the 106-foot bark Bartholomew Gosnold for its next voyage. Less than half were from the United States; the rest were from Portugal, England, Ireland, Germany, France and Scotland. The two Frenchmen and one of the eight Portuguese were listed as blacks; the remaining men were of light or brown complexion. Four each of the crew were in their forties and thirties; 16 were in their twenties, and six were in their teens. Three of these teenagers, all from the New Bedford area, were only 16 years old when they shipped out.

  date made

  1876-05

  ID Number

  TR.103009.03

  catalog number

  103009.03

  accession number

  12006

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Weems experimental electric locomotive

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1889

  ID Number

  TR.181143

  accession number

  25856

  catalog number

  181143

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  Boat Model, Adirondack Skiff

  Description

  This model represents an Adirondack skiff, or guide boat, which was commonly used on the lakes and streams in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. In the nineteenth century, these boats were a means of transportation for farmers and hunters in the mountains. In order to be carried between waterways in the Adirondack Mountains, these skiffs needed to be light, but also large enough to hold gear and a hunter’s game. Early Adirondack guide boats appeared in the 1820s, but were only fully developed as a discrete boat type by the 1870s. Although some skiffs were fitted with sails, this model does not have sails and appears to be for recreation rather than hunting or fishing. Usually 14-16 feet long, this model represents a skiff 22 feet long and 4 feet wide. The model was built in 1876 and given to the Smithsonian by Cornwall & Weston, boat builders of Alexandria Bay, New York.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1876

  ID Number

  TR.25053

  catalog number

  25053

  accession number

  4633

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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  Rigged Model, Steamship Philadelphia

  Description

  This ship model depicts the American Line passenger ship Philadelphia as it was rebuilt and renamed after extensive repairs of improvements in 1901. The model was built by Gustav Grahn and Gustav Grahn, Jr. of New York built this ship model as in 1891. The ship was originally built for Britain's Inman Line as the City of Paris in 1889. She became the Paris in 1893 when her owners transferred her and her sister ship the City of New York to American registry in a business and political maneuver designed to secure a lucrative U.S. mail subsidy. The ship served as an auxiliary cruiser in the Spanish American War and as a troopship in World War I.

  Strong competition for passengers—aided by shipbuilding advances, marine-engine improvements, and increased government regulation—led to a substantial increase in the size, speed, and comfort of ocean liners by the end of the nineteenth century. Particularly after 1870, new steamers appeared every few years that were hailed in the press and in advertising as more spacious, better appointed, swifter, and safer than anything that had sailed before. While the biggest and grandest ocean liners were built for the run between Europe and the United States, less renowned steamships carried passengers and emigrants on dozens of routes across the globe.

  date made

  1911-07-10

  used date

  1889-1923

  ID Number

  TR.271111

  catalog number

  271111

  accession number

  52985

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

• Autocar, 1901

  Description

  The Autocar was designed by Louis S. Clarke, president and engineer of the Autocar Company, in 1901. This automobile is believed to be the first shaft-driven car constructed in the United States. In November 1901, this car was driven from the factory in Ardmore, Pa., to the auto show in New York City's Madison Square Garden in just over six hours. The 1901 Autocar has a water-cooled shaft-driven two-cylinder horizontal-opposed engine with a selective sliding-gear transmission.

  The Autocar Company began life as the Pittsburg Motor Car Company in 1897. In 1899, the company moved to Ardmore, Pa., and changed its name to the Autocar Company. The Autocar Company began to make trucks as well as cars in 1907 and switched over to making trucks exclusively after 1911. In 1953, the White Motor Car Company bought a controlling interest in Autocar and moved the company to Exton, Pennsylvania. In the 1980s, Volvo bought the name, and the company changed hands again in 2001 with the purchase of the brand by the GVW Group. Since 2001 Autocar has produced heavy trucks for severe-service use.

  Location

  Currently not on view

  date made

  1901

  designer

  Clarke, Louis S.

  contributed

  Firestone, Jr., Harvey S.

  restoration

  Rite-Way Auto Painters

  White Motor Company

  maker

  Autocar Company

  ID Number

  TR.307257

  catalog number

  307257

  accession number

  68520

  Data Source

  National Museum of American History

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