USS Olympia (Cruiser #6) - Ornamental Bow Removal, Accession #: 1961-84-DJ
December 1, 2022
NMUSN-5131: USS Olympia (Cruiser #6), Bow Ornament, December 2022. Ornament is resting on its side after being taken off its base and lowered by forklift. Official National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph. Digital only.
Flagship of Commodore George Dewey during the Spanish-American War, Olympia participated in the Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898. The cruiser later patrolled the U.S. eastern coast during World War I, assisted during the Russian civil war, and brought remains of the WWI Unknown Soldier back to the United States. This ornamental bow (a U.S. Flag on a shield) was removed from the ship and was originally on display in Willard Park, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. until the late 1970s. Following conservation, the bow was relocated inside the Navy Memorial Museum, Bldg. 76, (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy) in the Spanish-American War section. In early December 2022, staff prepared for its removal from the display area, and it is now awaiting shipment to the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Curator Branch, Collection Management Facility in Richmond, Virginia for conservation.
NMUSN-5126: USS Olympia (Cruiser #6), Bow Ornament, December 2022. Exhibit Special Tom Potthast secures the artifact, so the artifact can be loosed from the base and turned on its side. Conservator, from the Naval Surface Warfare, Carderock Division, Brian Potter looks on to the right. Official National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph. Digital only.
NMUSN-5127: USS Olympia (Cruiser #6), Bow Ornament, December 2022. Ornament is being lowered to its side after being released from its base. Official National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph. Digital only.
NMUSN-5128: USS Olympia (Cruiser #6), Bow Ornament, December 2022. Collection staff member Dan Ronquillo and Exhibit Specialist Tom Pottast assist the bow as it is being lowered to its side by forklift after being released from its base. Official National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph. Digital only.
NMUSN-5129: USS Olympia (Cruiser #6), Bow Ornament, December 2022. Ornament is being lowered to its side after being released from its base. Straps are being taken off the forklift. Official National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph. Digital only.
NMUSN-5130: USS Olympia (Cruiser #6), Bow Ornament, December 2022. Ornament is being lowered to its side after being released from its base. Straps are being taken off the forklift. Official National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph. Digital only.
NMUSN-579: Willard Park, 1970s. USS Olympia (Cruiser #6) bow ornament. Original is from a faded Polaroid. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-1971: Spanish-American War, 1983. Bow of USS Olympia (Cruiser #6). Note the USS Maine area behind. Original is a positive film-strip. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-786: Bow ornament, USS Olympia (Armored Cruiser #3), 2000s. Object was on display in the Spanish-American War section. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
