Charlestown Navy Yard/rope making. Center section of the breaker machine showing comb-like teeth that separate the hemp. 1917-1934
Hemp for the Navy
“Stands of hemp such as this one which was grown in Henry County last year, and is being inspected by Richard Bolin, will be familiar sights to Illinoians again this year, although acreage will be reduced due to bumper crop in 1943. With Far Eastern supplies cut off, hemp is needed to supply rope for Navy and Merchant Marine.”
– Illinois mobilizes, vol.2, no.8 march 1, 1944
Illinois mobilizes, vol.2, no.8 march 1, 1944
Charlestown Navy Yard/rope making. Allen Smith feeding the breaker machine. 1917-1934
Charlestown Navy Yard/rope making. Thomas Reynolds tending the ends of the coarse spreader machine. 1917-1934
Rope making, Charlestown Navy Yard. 1917-1934
Charlestown Navy Yard/rope making; Alex Summers looking over the supply of hemp stored in building no. 62 ready to be removed to the rope walk building.
Hemp arriving in Navy Yard for USS Constitution. March 1927
Bales of hemp arrive at Navy Yard to be made into rope or cable for old frigate USS Constitution. March 1927