Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI 150th Anniversary
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI 150th Anniversary
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
  • Current Issue
  • Subscribe to Naval History
    • Naval History Digital Subscription
    • Renew Your Subscription
  • Naval History Blog
  • Submisison Guidelines
  • Contact Naval History
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues
The Illinois, a brick near-replica of the Indiana (Battleship No. 1) design, served as the home for naval exhibits at Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition. Later, for a brief time, she was home to the Illinois Naval Militia.
The Illinois, a brick near-replica of the Indiana (Battleship No. 1) design, served as the home for naval exhibits at Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition. Later, for a brief time, she was home to the Illinois Naval Militia.
Naval History and Heritage Command

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
  • Current Issue
  • Subscribe to Naval History
    • Naval History Digital Subscription
    • Renew Your Subscription
  • Naval History Blog
  • Submisison Guidelines
  • Contact Naval History
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

The Brick Battleship

By J. M. Caiella
February 2021
Naval History Magazine
Volume 35, Number 1
Historic Ships
View Issue
Comments

The U.S. Navy records only two commissioned warships named for the state of Illinois—the current Virginia-class submarine SSN-786 and Battleship No. 7 of 1901. Yet five years before the first commissioned Illinois was launched, the Navy operated for a brief period another full-size “battleship” of the same name off Chicago. This one, however, was constructed mainly of brick and mortar, had no underwater hull, and could not float, let alone sail. This Illinois was the centerpiece of the Navy’s exhibit at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893.

The ersatz Illinois was the brainchild of Navy Captain Richard Worsam Meade, a battle-hardened veteran of the Civil War with a “sulphuric vocabulary.” Exhibition directors “resorted to placing cotton in their ears” when dealing with him. Nevertheless, he persuaded the Navy to part with $115,000—about $3.3 million today—to construct a full-size replica of the recently launched coast-line battleship Indiana (Battleship No. 1).

The work of overseeing the replica’s design and construction, begun in the summer of 1891, could not have been in better hands. It was entrusted to Bureau of Construction and Repair naval architect Frank W. Grogan, who was in charge of the design of the Indiana class. The faux Illinois was built on a foundation of pilings driven into Lake Michigan’s bottom near Chicago’s Jackson Park. When completed, she appeared as if moored to the Navy pier that jutted into the lake from outside the exposition’s central lagoon. 

The hull sides from the berth to main deck were constructed of brick laid to the contour of the Indiana and covered with a smooth coating of Portland cement, which faired the lines. Below the berth deck, the hull was formed by steel plates, which extended well into the water below. The major shapes—superstructure, turrets, and 13- and 8-inch guns—were made of wood framing brought to final shape by cement over metal lathing. The details and fittings, however, were all Navy issue. 

As completed, the “ship” was 348 feet long with a beam of 69 feet, 3 inches. It was said that an experienced sailor would have had a very difficult time discerning the copy from the real thing. Most likely building on this exaggeration, the Chicago Tribune reported that Grogan “had the satisfaction of witnessing a person become seasick on his imitation man-of-war.”

Progress on the construction of the naval display known as the “U.S.S. Illinois” on 16 December 1891 shows the brickwork on the upper hull and lathing on the lower to support steel plates.
Progress on the construction of the naval display known as the “U.S.S. Illinois” on 16 December 1891 shows the brickwork on the upper hull and lathing on the lower to support steel plates.  Naval History and Heritage Command

While most large pieces were replicas, two authentic 6-inch guns were mounted on either beam and used for gun-handling demonstrations. Newspaper reports, however, mixed fact with fiction. One report cited the guns as “6 1/2-inch,” a caliber of breech-loaders never used by the U.S. Navy. Complicating this fiction is a note that their carriages had “perforations” made by a 6-pounder gun. “It was said that no gun carriage would be accepted by the Navy until they took a shot at it. If the perforation was clean and the carriage did not crack then it was acceptable for use.” Forget that the carriage was damaged and weakened by the hole.

‘USS’ Illinois, Ersatz Battleship

Captain Meade and his executive officer, Lieutenant Commander Edward D. Taussig, commanded a crew of 200 sailors and Marines. Far fewer than a standard crew of more than 450, their responsibilities focused on public relations, with displays of boat, torpedo, and gun drills. 

The mock battleship was a fair favorite. On the Fourth of July, the Tribune declared, “No spot at the Exposition proved more attractive to visitors than the battleship Illinois.” More than 6,000 an hour stepped foot on her main deck. “As late as 5 p.m. they were still marching aboard the battleship, three abreast, as eagerly as if their lives depended on it.” Taussig “treated all hands to beer early in the morning and watermelons in the evening.” With no little sarcasm, the crew was reported to be “feeling first-rate.”

After the exposition closed in October, plans were made to move the structure to serve as headquarters for the recently organized Illinois Naval Militia. The foundation was begun in June 1894, but the transfer never happened. Although the display was turned over to the state for use of the militia, that organization soon dissolved. Equipment transferred “on loan” became a political hot potato between the Secretary of the Navy and the state of Illinois.

On 25 April 1895, the Tribune ran a very brief one-sentence note: “The battleship Illinois is still moored at Jackson Park, but it looks as if the rats had abandoned it.” By December, the remains were sold to a wrecking company for $1, and in January 1896, the ersatz Illinois was reported “nearly gone.”

On 10 February 1897, construction of the authentic battleship Illinois was begun at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. in Newport News, Virginia.

Article Keywords:

  • battleships

J. M. Caiella

Mr. Caiella is a journalist of more than 45 years with experience as a photographer, editor, writer, designer, and graphic artist. He has worked as lead editor of scholarly publications for the Naval History and Heritage Command, senior editor of Proceedings and Naval History magazines, and writer-editor for the U.S. Marine Corps’ History Division.

More Stories From This Author View Biography

Related Articles

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History Magazine
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Advertise With Us
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2023 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Powered by Unleashed Technologies
×

You've read 1 out of 5 free articles of Naval History this month.

Non-subscribers can read five free Naval History articles per month. Subscribe now and never hit a limit.