Lot 690

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Description:

NAVAL ENSIGN OF U-805, THE FIRST VESSEL TO SURRENDER IN U.S. WATERS SINCE THE WAR OF 1812
A superb U-boat relic, the Kriegsmarine ensign of U-805, the second U-boat to surrender to the U.S. Navy in World War II, and the first foreign vessel to surrender in American waters since the War of 1812! The 30" x 21" weather-tattered flag is complete, though at the time of its seizure a section was temporarily removed as a souvenir of the historic capture. The flag is set onto blue felt backing and framed with a period typed note of provenance which further explains the flag's history. It reads, in part: "...The Chief of Naval Personnel delegated the responsibility for captured enemy personnel and equipment to the Office of Naval Intelligence who in turn, delegated it to the various District Intelligence Officers. In the first Naval District...[this responsibility] was vested in Lt. Cmdr. B. S. Warren, Jr. ...Prior to surrender, the German officers threw overboard all ensigns that could be found, but a search of the flag bag...disclosed this tattered ensign. At first an order was issued by Admiral King that all flags found were to be forwarded to Washington and a piece was therefore torn from this flag, as a memento...The order was never pressed, and the entire flag was returned to Lt. Cmdr. Warren who than had these pieces mounted together...". Provenance: TIME-LIFE Collection; The War Museum. With copies of reports and narratives which accompanied the flag, written by the Task Group Commander who took U-805 and the commander of the USS OTTER detailing the surrender of the submarine, also multiple copies of clippings, newspaper photos, etc. Another vessel, U-858, officially surrendering at Lewes, Delaware on May 14, and U-805 on May 15. However, U-858 was boarded by American sailors 6-800 miles offshore, while U-805 was boarded within the 200 mile limit of U.S. territorial waters, making the latter ship's surrender within the confines of the United States...and the first such surrender in 130 years. Provenance: TIME-LIFE Collection, The War Museum.

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March 18, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000