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Postal History Civil War Postal History: Union General Civil War Covers & Documents
Sale No: 746
Lot No: 18
Symbol:
Battle of Cherbourg, Carte de Visite photograph ca. 1870s by Frederic Jones of London, from a painting by Capt. W. J. Anderson, "Action Off Cherbourg. 19th June 1864", Fine to Very Fine,
The Battle of Cherbourg was between the Sloops of War, U.S.S. Kearsarge and C.S.S. Alabama, the most successful commerce raider in maritime history. Kearsarge finally prevailed, sinking Alabama and rescuing the majority of Alabama's survivors. However, while Kearsarge's Captain John Winslow stood helplessly by, British politician, John Lancaster's private yacht, Deerhound was able to rescue 41 of Alabama's officers and crew, including her Captain Raphael Semmes, and escape with them to Britain. Suggested Bid $150-200 (Image)
Suggested Bid $150-200
Opening US$ 140.00
Sold...US$ 140.00
Closed..Nov-18-2020, 10:13:06 EST
Sold For 140
Sale No: 746
Lot No: 24
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
Prize Money for Crew Members, Written order dated "U.S. Gunboat Aroostook, Off Galveston, Texas, 14th Sep. 1864"; the two-page order, which is apparently written and signed by then-Lt. Commander Joseph E. Skerrett, assigns Acting Ensign H. L. Ramson, of the Aroostook, to accompany a prize of 38 bales of cotton to the Prize Court in New Orleans and to remain there until a judgment is made; on the back of the order, dated Sep 22, is an order for Ransom to "Take passage on the Arkansas to rejoin your vessel" which has been signed by Commodore "J[ames] S[hedden] Palmer.
Ramson apparently died sometime between his delivering the cotton and the Court awarding the prize money, because also included is a letter to Mrs. H. L. Ramson from the Paymaster of Aroostook dated Jul 6, 1865, confirming that she is entitled to her husband's share of the award money, "$534.76 less the Internal Revenue Tax of 5%"; also included with the lot is a photographic Carte de Visite of Seaman Ransom by G.H. Morand of New York, one of the first professional photographers in New York City, Fine to Very Fine. A marvelous group,
Joseph E. Skerrett went on to become a Rear Admiral. In addition to serving in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, he headed the Department of Seamanship at the U.S. Naval Academy from 1868 to 1872. He later made important surveys of uncharted areas of the northern Pacific Ocean, and served as Governor of the Philadelphia Naval Asylum from 1886 to 1888. He then went on to be commandant of the Portsmouth Navy Yard from 1889 to 1890 and of the Washington Navy Yard from September 1890 to December 1892, followed by more time in the South Pacific.
James Shedden Palmer (1810-1867) was, at this time, in command of the 1st Division of Ironclads in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron in the vicinity of New Orleans, and would also go on attain the rank of Rear Admiral in July 1866. Suggested Bid $200-300 (Image)
