LOT #57296 |
Sold on Dec 12, 2009 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Spanish-American War: Relics From The Sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac, One of the Most Important Sea Actions of the... (Total: 7 Items)
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Spanish-American War: Relics From The Sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac, One of the Most Important Sea Actions of the War. Including: a piece of wood, 7.25", with a paper tag that reads, "splinter from mast of U.S.S. Merrimac, sunk in Santiago Harbor - Splinter made by Spanish Shells"; a piece of wood, 2.75", with a pencil inscription and a typed tag that both read, "Piece of the raft used by [Richmond P.] Hobson and his men escaping from the Merrimac"; a signed book by Richmond P. Hobson, The Sinking of the Merrimac, A Personal Narrative of the Adventure in the Harbor of Santiago de Cuba, June 3, 1898, and the Subsequent Imprisonment of the Survivors, (New York: The Century, 1899), xiv, 306 pages, octavo, original cloth covers, inscribed twice, "Complements of the Author, Richmond P. Hobson" and "To Lucius N. Littauer, Esq., describing a little incident in a little war of the long ago, being a small tribute of the esteem and gratitude of Richmond P. Hobson, N.Y.C., Feb 4, '32", the front cover is loose as are the signed pages; a 1" slice of cloth covered copper cable with a card that reads, "Submarine Cable cut at Manzinello"; a United States Navy cap tally from the U.S.S. Culgoa, 33.5"; and, a wood splinter is a glassed box, 3.75" with an affixed label that reads, "a splinter from Captain's Cabin of the battleship Iowa - splintered by a Spanish shell during Spanish American War - red cloth from Camp Alger - a piece from which the red crosses were made - T.F. Bolger". Aside from the book, all pieces are fine.During the Spanish-American War, the USS Merrimac was a steamship in the service of the United States Navy. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson ordered her to be sunk as a blockship at the entrance of Santiago Harbor, Cuba, in an attempt to trap the Spanish fleet in the harbor. On the night of 2-3 June 1898, eight volunteers attempted to execute this mission, but disabled by enemy gunfire, she sank without obstructing the harbor entrance. Her crewmen were rescued by the Spanish and made prisoners-of-war. After the Battle of Santiago de Cuba destroyed the Spanish fleet a month later, the men were released. All eight were awarded Medals of Honor for their part in the mission.
Auction Info
2009 December Signature Arms & Militaria Including Civil War Auction #6021 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2009
12th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,316
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms