The boards themselves were separated from each other by a. This was to stabilize and help keep the heavy boards from warping. is sometimes foundon these securing metal bands.Įach Liberty Ship Hatch Cover also has a securing metal rod located in the center of the hatch going through all three pine boards and rivted. These hatch covers actually had a patent associated with them which is recorded at the US Patent and Trademark Office. Sometimes instead of rivets large counter-sunk flat-head industrial wood screws were used. If you ever wondered what "Rosie the Riveter" did this is a perfect example of WWII riveting. Though rare sometimes only 2 pine boards were used, and sometimes the dimensions varied such as some hatch covers measured 26.5" wide.Įach hatch cover has 2 thick metal bands wrapped around the ends of each hatch and secured with rivets. In general, all of these hatches are approximately 59.5" long x 29" wide x 2.5" thick, weighing 90lbs and consists of 3 rough cut pine boards. Still shows some original gray/green paint on the rear. Has been bounced around with lots of character marks. SOLD!ĭescription #54 - Standard - Solid hatch with a light brown/yellowish stain. Has 4 holes drilled through the hatch as it was once used as a wooden buffer/barrier on the side of a floating dock! The 4 holes will be filled in and sanded during final prep work. SOLD!ĭescription #53 - Standard - Solid hatch with a dark reddish stain with lots of character marks on it. Some of the original gray-green paint is still on the rear side. SOLD!ĭescription #52 - Standard - Good solid hatch with the corner end of one metal bands in the past having been dinged by something heavy but does not detract. Will require some further sanding, will be ready to ship in approximately 2 weeks. Both the front and back have been sanded and stained.
Has the large industrial flat head counter-sunk screws instead of rivets securing the metal bands. SOLD! $1095ĭescription #50 - Standard - Good solid hatch cover with a medium brown stain/patina. Will take approximately 1 week for prep and to ship. This was the only thing preventing the heavy seas from gaining entry into the cargo holds and sinking the Liberty Ship!ĭescription #41 - Special - RARE! This one is just like when it came off the ship and it has a stamped US Patent # 1864232 stamped right into the metal band! Pat No practically ready to ship! It is 59.5 x 26.5 x 2.5 Each end of the batten was then tightly secured to prevent it from moving off of the hatch covers. Lastly a "batten" which is a long heavy pole made of wood or steel, was then laid across the top of the hatch covers. Then these wooden hatch covers were placed tightly side by side across top of the canvas. To "batten down the hatches", there was first a long sheet of thick waterproof canvas stretched tight across the open cargo hold.
These wooden hatch covers covered the cargo holds of the war materiel being sent both to Europe and the Far East and as fighting cargo ships they were instrumental in supplying our troops and were found in all of the naval invasions and battles in both theaters of the war. Like most sailors, these hatch covers have spent years bouncing around the 7 Seas and have all been weathered differently!Įver wonder where the term "batten down the hatches" came from? Or wondered what one of these "hatches" looked like? Well, here you will see and possibly have for your very own the last true wooden hatch covers made specifically for the World War II Liberty Ships. And The Hunter, Home From The Hill"Ĭlick Here and Return to The Pirate's Lair Home Page ORĬlick Here and Return to WWII Liberty Ship Hatch Covers and Nautical Tables US Navy WWII Liberty Ship Wooden Hatch Covers - All Liberty Ship Hatch Covers are similar, yet each is unique and distinct in its own way. WWII US Navy Liberty Ship Hatch Covers for sale
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