Bath in Sagadahoc County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

The Mould Loft (1917)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

1. The Mould Loft (1917) Marker

Inscription.
Design is the first step in shipbuilding, and it took place in a mould loft. Skilled modelers shaped the schooner's hull in miniature by carving a half-model. They scaled the model's lines full-size on the loft floor, then transferred these lines onto full-sized patterns, or moulds, made of thin wood. The moulds were used to shape the actual shipbuilding timbers.

This Mould Loft was added to the Percy & Small plant in 1917.

[Background photo caption reads]
Schooner Miriam Landis ready to launch, 1919; Mould Loft at right

Erected by Maine Maritime Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 43° 53.646′ N, 69° 48.958′ W. Marker is in Bath, Maine, in Sagadahoc County. Marker is on the grounds of the Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bath ME 04530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pitch Oven (1902) (a few steps from this marker); Wyoming Sculpture (within shouting distance of this marker); Bath Iron Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the South Ways (ca. 1867)

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Blacksmith Shop (1897, 1913) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caulkers' Shed (1899) (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill & Joiner Shop (1899) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Transformer House (1909) (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bath.

More about this marker. The Maine Maritime Museum is on the grounds of the former Percy & Small Shipyard, which was the last remaining intact wooden sailing vessel shipyard in the United States.

Also see . . . Maine Maritime Museum. Website homepage (Submitted on January 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

The Mould Loft (1917) and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

2. The Mould Loft (1917) and Marker

Marker is near the doorway

The Mould Loft (1917) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

3. The Mould Loft (1917)

Mould Loft Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

4. Mould Loft Interior

Moulds in the Mould Loft image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

5. Moulds in the Mould Loft

Maine Maritime Museum Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 19, 2011

6. Maine Maritime Museum Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 728 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on January 31, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.