Friday, February 15, 2008
A Blast with Brass
This post is for the NAVY minded. Way back when , the United States Navy , made plaques in a foundry , using brass metal. These plaques represented the different ships , submarines and units , that make up our Navy. In those days , brass was melted down and poured into a sand mold. A lot of skill was needed to make one of these and today , it's an art , gone and forgot.
The top picture is the USS Grand Rapids PG - 98. Consider this to be a modern day torpedo boat. This solid brass plaque is one inch thick.
The middle plaque is for the Navy's Commodore at La Maddalena , located in The Med.
Everyone has heard of the USS NAUTILUS SSN 571. This submarine completed the first underwater transit using the North Pole passage. She proved that the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans were connected. The USS NAUTILUS , was America's first , nuclear powered anything.
Today , Navy plaques are simple pieces of laser cut wood. I wonder how admirals get through the day , without their daily dose of brass ?
If any of my readers know of other Navy plaques , I know people who would be interested in purchasing them for an exhibit , honoring our military. Or , perhaps consider making a donation and get a tax cut.
