The Statue of Liberty was transported from France to the United States in a carefully planned and remarkable process. It was first disassembled into about 350 pieces, which were packed into over 200 wooden crates to facilitate the journey
. These crates contained the copper exterior sheets and the iron framework components. In May 1885, the crates were loaded onto the French Navy ship Isère , a metal-hulled frigate specially chosen for this important transatlantic voyage
. The Isère set sail from Lorient, France, and after about a month at sea, despite facing severe weather challenges, it arrived safely in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885
. Upon arrival, the crates were transferred to a smaller vessel to be taken to Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island), where the statue was reassembled on its pedestal
. The iron framework, designed by Gustave Eiffel, served as the internal support structure for the copper skin during reassembly. The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886, marking its official unveiling as a symbol of freedom and democracy
. In summary, the Statue of Liberty was transported in disassembled form across the Atlantic on the French Navy ship Isère , packed in crates, then reassembled on Liberty Island in New York Harbor