A section of pipe and loose cross-bracing lie near the turn of the bilge.

The Louisiana's hull displays many interesting construction features that shipbuilders used to strengthen wooden hulls. Iron cross-bracing, multiple keelsons, and double ceiling planking (longitudinally and athwartships ) can be readily seen. These features helped minimize hogging (bending down in the bow and stern) and sagging (bending down amidships) caused by the strains of heavy cargoes in long wooden hulls.

The longitudinal keelsons form two central slots, one located near the bow, and another towards the stern. These slots are very similar to schooner centerboard trunks in construction, except for being covered at the bottom by the vessel's keel . Originally a centerboard trunk, the forward slot was boarded up and the centerboard removed at some point during the Louisiana's career. The stern slot may have been bracing for deck stanchions or a bulkhead to prevent cargoes from shifting.

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