Rounds from the Turret Posted by
Erin Secord
08.31.09 @ 2:24pm
Conservators have finish treating one of six rounds of ammunition that were found in the Turret.
These large rifle rounds have lead bullets and copper alloy casings. Several of the casings are intact, preserving the gunpowder inside.
New Turret Anodes Posted by
Erin Secord
08.25.09 @ 12:34pm
We've placed a new anode for the impressed current system to improve the corrosion protection of the Monitor's turret. This anode is suspended within the turret to protect the interior metal surfaces.
The turret is made of eight layers of 1-inch thick wrought iron plate. You can see each of the layers in the photo below.
Elsa and Laura are treating fragments of a wool coat recovered from the turret. The coat would be similar to a 4-button pilot coat, and was made of dark blue felted wool.
Below, Elsa is pointing out a button hole and a pocket opening in the coat. Even after 140 years on the sea-floor, some of the stitching survives!
Drawer from Turret Posted by
Erin Secord
07.14.09 @ 3:49pm
Elsa has finished treating a wood drawer that was recovered from Monitor's turret. The drawer had an iron lock mechanism within a copper casing. During burial, the lock mechanism corroded away leaving only the wood drawer and copper casing.
Condenser Tank Work Posted by
David Krop
05.11.09 @ 9:35am
This week apprentices from Northrop Grumman's Apprentice School are modifying the Monitor's condenser treatment tank by installing a watertight door. This activity will take a week or two and is visible on our web cams. Conservators will begin extensive deconcretion, electrolysis, and disassembly of the condenser once the watertight door is installed. Check our webcams for progress.
