I live in Byrnes Mill, Missouri on the Big River, slightly upriver from the ruins of the mill that gives our little burg its name. I, along with one of our alderman, am spearheading an attempt to remove and preserve the old mill turbine and other equipment from the river. In doing research on old mill construction I came upon a diagram of a mill turbine with the words Lignum Vitae and a line pointing to the bearings. Recognizing vitae as a botanical name I did some 'digging' and found some information on this very interesting wood. Also called the Wood of Life, Lignum Vitae is the one of the hardest woods known. Its uses include cricket balls, wooden mallets, English Bobby nightsticks ( it has the same effect as steel without the damage.) and propeller shaft bearings. Its high resin and wax content make it self lubricating and nearly decay proof when submerged in water, making it ideal for propeller shaft and water tubine bearings.
The turbine from Dawt's Mill in southern Missouri.
Many shipbuilders have used Lignum vitae in their vessels. Some of the more famous ships and uses include the propeller shaft bearings on the U.S.S. NAUTILUS, the first nuclear powered submarine. The the belaying pins on the U.S.S. CONSTITUTION, . U.S.S. PAMPANITO, a WWII submarine and other ships such as the St. MARYS CHALLENGER, which just celebrated its 100th birthday on the Great Lakes. Other uses include hydro-electric plants and possibly, a little gristmill a few hundred yards downriver.
Visit the U.S.S. NAUTILUS website. http://www.ussnautilus.org/history.html
Centennial- Steaming through the American Century. A wonderful book about the St. MARYS CHALLENGER. http://www.runninglightpress.com/books.php
Here is a little information on the Byrnes Mill. www.byrnesmill.org/turbine/index.html
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