Kapok life jacket

Clothing/Dress/Costume

Battleship Texas Foundation

front of 2024.1013.49.1

Name/Title

Kapok life jacket

Entry/Object ID

2024.1013.49.1

Description

This Kapok life jacket is a WWII variant made in 1945. This variation is a revised design of the original featuring leg straps. Belt was sewn on backwards, since military equipment straps face outward, while this one faces inward. Jacket is significantly faded throughout, including the stenciling on the back, and patch on the interior.

Context

In 1915, the United States Navy began using a fiber called kapok, a soft, lightweight fiber from a tropical tree in their life jackets. These jackets were used throughout both World Wars.

Collection

Donation (Stephen Nelson), Historical Collections

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1945

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Jacket, Life

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Preserver, Life

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Water Transportation Accessories

Nomenclature Class

Water Transportation Equipment

Nomenclature Category

Category 07: Distribution & Transportation Objects