The Ship Model Forum

As mentioned, USS BLACK HAWK was built as a civilian merchant ship (launch. 1913), acquired by the USN (1917) and converted to be a tender. She was built to merchant ship standards of the time. As a tender, it wasn't expected that she would see much if any action. Upgrades during WWII would have done away with as much "flammable material" as possible. Even though not a warship, she could still be attacked by enemy airpower, not a major concern during WWI or in the 1920's.

As for the use of wood of USN ships in the early 1900's, the USS OLYMPIA had a bridge made with wood.

Thanks for asking...

I'm primarily concerned with her Asiatic Fleet period. Found another pic that also shows the area that appears to be made of wood...while she was in the Dewey drydock at Olongapo in ~1926.
I'm just rather surprised the navy did not alter that (if it really was wood) ASAP in view of fire risk, etc.

But, not a big deal.

What time period were you interested in? There is a page on the following link with a series of photos taken shortly after a refit in February of 1943. Looks like any wood was gone by then. Maybe some of the others there will help.

Did USS Black Hawk AD-9 have parts of her superstructure constructed of wood?

I've seen vintage photos which look like it, but that seems so unlikely to me.

TIA