Last month we introduced the Loring Model, a 140-year-old scale model of USS Constitution that is currently undergoing a restoration as part of the USS Constitution Museum’s annual ship model show, Masters of Miniature. The late 19th century model was built for American Civil War Union General Charles Greely Loring and was displayed in his home in Prides Crossing, Beverly, Massachusetts. Loring saw much action in the war, including the late battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Bethesda Church. As part of the Ninth Corps he was involved in the later successes of the Army of the Potomac up to the surrender of General Robert E. Lee in April 1865.
![[Courtesy FindAGrave.com]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cgloring_findagrave.jpg)
Charles Greely Loring in uniform. [Courtesy FindAGrave.com]
![[USS Constitution Museum Collection. 1352.1]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1352-1_001.jpg)
A photograph of U.S. Naval Academy training ships USS Santee, USS Constitution, and USS Macedonian in Newport, Rhode Island c. 1863-1865. [USS Constitution Museum Collection. 1352.1]
![[Courtesy Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1881SailCrop.jpg)
A detail of the only known photograph of USS Constitution under sail taken by Army Private Hendrickson in the summer of 1881. The ship was standing into Hampton Roads, Virginia. [Courtesy Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston]
![[USS Constitution Museum Collection. 1469.1]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BierdstadtDec1881USSCM1469-1.jpg)
Edward Bierdstadt photographed Constitution in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in late 1881. Note the four pair of iron boat davits jutting from the platforms of the rigging channels port and starboard. The davits would have carried four of Constitution‘s boats as used by the midshipmen during their sail training cruises. [USS Constitution Museum Collection. 1469.1]
![The Loring model in 2013 before the restoration commenced. The red arrow points to the forward davit of the aftermost pair of davits. [Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01-13-2016-1b.jpg)
The Loring model in 2013 before the restoration commenced. The red arrows point to the two aftermost starboard boat davits. [Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]
![[Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01-13-2016-17.jpg)
The spar deck hammock stowage as seen on the Loring model in January 2016. [Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]
![[USS Constitution Museum Collection. 2105.3]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2105.3.jpg)
A detail of a photograph taken c. 1890 showing Constitution‘s spar deck enclosed by the receiving ship house. [USS Constitution Museum Collection. 2105.3]
![[Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01-13-2016-8.jpg)
Rob Napier cleans the Loring model in January 2016 after removing several of the berth deck planks. [Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]
![[Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01-13-2016-9.jpg)
Rob uses a small brush to clean away debris in January 2016. [Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]
The end result of the vacuuming was a collection of dirt and detritus that somehow made its way into the model over time. Rob will carefully remove any ship parts that should be saved and catalogued.
![[Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IMG_3584.jpg)
Rob Napier emptied a HEPA filter filled with Loring model debris in March 2013. [Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]
The level of meticulous detail revealed throughout the model’s restoration leads us to wonder why the modeler went to such pains to construct a faithful representation of “Old Ironsides.” Could the modeler have anticipated that his hidden handiwork would be uncovered by future generations? Without Rob Napier’s careful disassembly of the Loring model, these intriguing details would have remained buried under the deck planks and debris.
![[Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/01-13-2016-25.jpg)
The newly vacuumed model showing the mizzen mast step in January 2016. [Courtesy USS Constitution Museum]
![[Courtesy National Archives]](https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Pook-10May1849-Miz-Mast_1.jpg)
A detail of Samuel Pook’s May 10, 1849 longitudinal plan of USS Constitution. [Courtesy National Archives]
– M. M. Desy & K. Monea
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