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At some point in postwar history, Battleship Massachusetts'
Admiral's Quarters, which included a cabin (dayroom), stateroom (bedroom), head
(bathroom) and pantry (kitchen) were stripped of all furniture and fixtures, including
the kitchen sink! Until recently, the cost to
complete an authentic restoration was prohibitive, but due to the generosity
of former BB59 officer LCDR Ben Schulman (at left), and additional support from
the Champlin Foundations and Slade's Ferry Bank, it was been possible to restore
these spaces to their last known configuration.
It
wasn't easy. No photos were available, and two sets of 1946 deck plans presented
conflicting information. Weldment remnants and as-built photos of Battleship North
Carolina's Admiral's Quarters (graciously provided by the U.S.S. North Carolina)
provided many clues. A trip to the Maritime Administration's James River Reserve
Fleet provided the necessary oven for the pantry, sideboards (serving tables)
for the cabin, and chairs for the conference table. The U.S. Navy's curator branch
supplied china and silverware, and Chelsea Clock of Chelsea, Massachusetts, donated
two clocks from their "Ship's Bell" line of exquisite timepieces. Outside
vendors restored an appropriate refrigerator, reupholstered an antique transom
(couch), fabricated the stainless steel "kitchen sink" and counter,
and installed rubber flooring to simulate now obsolete "battleship"
linoleum. Finally, staff and volunteers have spent countless hours plumbing, welding,
and refinishing furniture.
In addition to their
use as a classroom for accelerated student workshops, the Admiral's Quarters provide
an environment for oral history interviews and scholarly research. As with all
restoration projects, the ultimate goal is to educate our visitors about the protocols,
lifestyles, and procedures inherent in the operational service of Massachusetts.
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