Jacob Sibley’s Axe
Ship axes were used to pare and trim timbers for ship construction. American pattern ship axes, like this one, were shorter than their English counterparts and had a more symmetrical design. This particular axe was purportedly owned by Jacob Sibley (1746 – 1831), a well-established carpenter who worked on the construction of USS Constitution at Edmund Hartt’s Shipyard in Boston’s North End in the late 18th century. This axe could have been used for shaping frames, hull planks, or timbers for masts. The axe handle is likely a replacement.
Date Created
1780-1810
Medium
Wood, Iron
Dimensions
[H]32 1/2 in. [W]1 in. [D]11 1/4 in.
Catalog Number
USN495.1
Credit Line
Courtesy of Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston.
Terms of Use
This work is in the public domain.
