In the jump of 1917 , when the the States entered the First World War , the ask for to a greater extent than sailors too marines became paramount. In guild to spark involvement amid immature men too convince them to volunteer for the nation of war , the U.S.A. Navy decided to erect a huge wooden replica of a battleship inward Union Square , inward the gist of New York City.
Called USS Recruit —since its purpose was recruitment— the wooden battleship mockup measured over 200 feet long too had a width of forty feet. It carried 2 cage masts , a conning tower too a dummy smokestack. It was also equipped alongside 6 wooden replicas of 14-inch guns inward 3 twin turrets , x wooden five-inch anti-torpedo boat guns too 2 replica one-pound saluting guns , matching the configuration of battleships of the time.
Photo credit: Library of Congress
In guild to demonstrate the life of a navy to potential civilian recruits , USS Recruit had a total crew of sailors , officers too doctors who lived inward the send , too slept inward their respective quarters too cabins. The crew would wake upwards at 6 a.m. , scrub the decks , produce their laundry , too accept shifts standing guard until 11pm. During this fourth dimension they were available for answering questions from visitors. By black , all the ship's lights were turned on , including a serial of searchlights.
The send functioned both every bit a tool for recruitment too training. There was a wireless station , a heating too ventilation organisation too exam rooms to assess the wellness of potential candidates.
USS Recruit was largely successful , helping the Navy enlist 25 ,000 novel men.
After the nation of war ended inward 1918 , the send remained inward Union Square for 2 to a greater extent than years hosting a diverseness of social events too receptions , dances for New York's socialites , every bit good every bit patriotic events such every bit speeches too unfurling of a recreated Betsy Ross American flag.
In 1920 , the send was dismantled alongside the intention of relocating it to Coney Island's Moon Park. But this did non conduct house too the fate of the Recruit is unknown.
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
Photo credit: Library of Congress
The Union Square inward 2010. Photo credit: chensiyuan/Wikimedia
Sources: Wikipedia / Mashable / Historical Firearms