Description:

SKETCH OF C.S.A. SUBMARINE AT BROOKLYN NAVY YARD
Good content letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by Class of 1865 Harvard graduate George Homer Smith, [New York], Aug. 25, [1865] to his father concerning his visit to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Smith had sneaking into the facility and describes the sights, including a great sketch and description of seeing "two Rebel Infernal machines", one of which is a David class Confederate submarine called the "Midget". She was built at Charleston in 1864 and was captured by the Union navy when that city fell on Feb. 17, 1865. His vivid letter, reads, in very small part: "…I started for Fort Greene, a high hill in the Western part of the city overlooking N. Y. and the entrance to the Sound…I came to the Navy Yard…went in and all over it…there were vessels on the docks in all stages of building…there were the guns, perfectly enormous, some of these were at least 4 or 5 feet in diameter…guns taken from the Rebels at Gosport…also cannon balls, shells and all the usual accomplishments belonging to the Navy Yards…was an iron ram which was on the Rebel steamer Mississippi which was burnt at N. Orleans in '62. [there is a drawing of the ram.] Ram shaped like this and made to fasten on the bow of this ship. There were also 2 torpedoes & their anchors. [Here are drawings of the torpedo and chain]…there were two Rebel Infernal machines or rather…submarine boats for using torpedoes. One was the 'Midge'…they were like a cigar in shape and quite small perhaps as long as…our old house…and a pole 40 ft. long out in front on which was the torpedo…[a drawing of the submarine]…there was a cannon ball that went clear through the Brooklyn & stuck…the Tuscarora…I tried to get on the Monitor…I came to the Monitor Roanoke I walked straight on…behind the turrets…looking into the turrets, down below…the turrets like the dome of the observatory at Camb[ridge], turned on cannon balls in a groove. The cartridges were laid in a row round the sides of the turret. There were two guns in each turret both facing the same way. The guns…slide backwards & forward…the sides [of the turret] were wadded & as much ventilation was made as was possible…". Also included is the original stamped cover.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas), DHL or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. PLease contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items are not shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

February 19, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$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 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000