Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hammock Rails
Hammock rails line the spar deck except for the bow and stern. Each morning, crew would "trice" up their hammocks, bring them up to the spar deck, then bend them into a "U" shape and stow them in these rails. Canvas covers were pulled over the top of the rail to keep the hammocks dry.
Aboard USS Constellation, sailors had 7 minutes to get out of bed, trice up their hammocks, and stow them up here in the hammock rails. The crew retrieved their hammocks during the evening "dog" watches before retirining below.
In battle, all the crew's hammocks would be stowed in the rails. This enabled them to serve as bulwarks to protect the sailors who were working the ship and allowed the bulwarks to absorb more punishment than if they were empty.
[Captions:]
Top Right: "How the Sailor Begins His Day"
Sailors had 7 minutes to get up, dress, and trice up their hammock and report to the Spar Deck. Image from A full page and reverse from "The Sphere" dated 1901
Bottom Right: A "triced up" hammock.
Erected by Historic Ships in Baltimore.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location.
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Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Ship's Helm (a few steps from this marker); Spar Deck Guns (a few steps from this marker); USS Constellation (a few steps from this marker); The Ship's Head (within shouting distance of this marker); Living Classrooms (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Port of Baltimore (about 300 feet away); Exodus 1947: "The ship That Launched a Nation" (about 400 feet away); An Active Port for 300 Years (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Port of Baltimore (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Baltimores Maritime Heritage (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Top of the World Observation Level World Trade Center (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Additional keywords. The marker is on board the USS Constellation
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
