Antique Heart Pine Beam donated for historic reconstruction of World War II Museum Higgins Boat in New Orleans.
(Above): Higgins Boat on display at The National WWII Museum, built using Antique Heart Pine keel and ribs donated by Albany Woodworks.
The boat that “won the war” was built and designed in New Orleans, LA. So it was only natural that the beam that acted as the foundation of the construction of this craft was locally sourced from Albany Woodworks, a Louisiana based reclaimed flooring and building materials company. The WWII Museum contact Albany Woodworks in search of a historically accurate beam to act as the keel of the Higgins Boat.
Higgins Boats a.k.a. LCVP (land craft vehicle personnel) were developed in New Orleans by Higgins Industries. Originally the company made small, shallow water crafts that were quick and could easily navigate the shallow swamps of Louisiana. He proposed the boat when the Military needed options during WWII. Initially, Higgins had trouble getting the attention of the Army, but his persistence and quality product enabled him to win a contract for what later became known as the Higgins Boats.
Fact: Trees from Louisiana forests – specifically old-growth Heart Pine – were an important ingredient in these boats that made the success of the D-DAY landings possible. #veteransday #honorourheros
(Above) 1944 photo: Higgins Industries in New Orleans, Louisiana: “The Guy Who Relaxes is Helping the Axis”
US Coast Guard Certificate of Merit: “Mr. Woods is cited for notable service for … invaluable support of The Higgins Boat Project which resulted in the construction of an authentic Higgins Boat for display at The National WWII Museum…”
Andrew Higgins, his LCVP Landing Craft, built in New Orleans, was credited by Eisenhower for the success on D-DAY.
For more information on the World War II Museum’s Higgins Boat, click here. For more information on Albany Woodworks reclaimed beams, click here.