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THBUS US M1852 Naval Presentation Sword to Lt. John Worden - Commander of the USS Monitor
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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About Auction
LiveMay 2, 2018 - May 4, 2018
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (312)
- Lot Description
29" slightly curved single-edged blade, with 20" wide median fuller and 13.5" narrow fuller at spine. Cast brass hilt with USN in banner on face of guard, dolphin head quillon, acanthus leaf decorations on guard and around edge of pommel cap. Pommel cap cast with a droop-winged American eagle surrounded by 13 stars. Blade etched with a bold USN on the reverse at center with fouled anchor and foliate scrolls. Reverse of blade etched above the ricasso: BALL, BLACK / & CO / NY in three lines. Ricasso marked in four lines: COLLINS & CO in an arc over HARTFORD / CONN /1862. Obverse blade etched with a spread-winged American eagle with arrows and olive branches in its talons and crossed oars with a patriotic shield as the central images, surrounded by the typical flowing foliate images. Brass mounted leather scabbard with usual fouled anchor mounts. The upper mount is engraved on its face: Presented To / John L. Worden /US Navy on the / Occasion of his / FIRST COMMAND / By Commodore Joseph Smith / Feb. 25, 1862.
John Lorimer Worden was born in 1818 and was appointed a midshipman in the US Navy on January 10, 1834, and spent the next three years serving on the sloop-of-war Erie. He also served aboard the Cyane briefly and did a two-year stint at the US Naval Observatory between 1844 and 1846. He served aboard the Southampton during the Mexican-American War and spent the next decade at a variety of postings, including another two years at the Naval Observatory.
In April of 1861, he was sent on a mission to communicate secret orders to US ships stationed off of Pensacola, and was subsequently captured in Alabama and spent about seven months as a prisoner of war in the Confederacy. Upon his release he was given command of the newly designed ironclad ship the USS Monitor. Worden officially took command on January 16, 1862, and supervised the completion and outfitting of his new ship. The Monitor was commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on February 25, 1862; the date referenced in the presentation on the scabbard mount. The presenter, Commodore (later Admiral) Joseph Smith, was a member of the Iron Clad Board, which oversaw the design and contraction of the Monitor and subsequent US Navy armored vessels produced during the war. Smith, as a member of that board, likely had a hand in Worden's appointment as the ship's commander.
On March 6, 1862, the USS Monitor, under Worden's command, was towed from New York towards Hampton Roads, VA where the former Federal ironclad gun boat USS Merrimack (re-christnened CSS Virginia by its Confederate captors) was heading towards a confrontation with the US blockading fleet. On March 8th, the Virginia successfully sank the USS Cumberland and USS Congress, and also damaged the USS Minnesota. The Monitor, under Wordan's command, did not arrive in time to become involved the battle on the 8th, but the following day the classic clash of the iron-clads took place, with the Monitor spending some four hours locked in mortal combat with the Virginia. During the fight, Worden was wounded in the face by shrapnel and was forced to relinquish command to his executive officer. After the four hour contest both ships broke off, with no clear winner in the fight.
Following the historic first battle between two armored, steam powered ships, Worden was a national hero and was promoted to commander. He was presented with an exceptional Tiffany & Company sword by the state of New York that now resides in the US Naval Academy's museum. He was given command of the iron clad USS Montauk in late 1862, and spent the balance of his wartime sea service as part of the blockading squadron off the coast of South Carolina. He was promoted to Captain in 1863 and by the middle of that year was reassigned to help oversee the building of iron clad ships in New York. In 1868, he was promoted to Commodore and served as the commandant of the US Naval Academy from 1869 through 1874. In 1872, he was promoted to Admiral. He served out the remainder of his career at a number of assignments both at sea and ashore, finally retiring in 1886 after some 52 years of service. He died in 1897 at the age of 79.
While the silver mounted Tiffany & Company sword that Worden was awarded after the battle of Hampton Roads is a much more stunning presentation sword, this simple M1852 Naval Officer's Sword is likely the one he had with him during the battle, and as such, it was witness to the making of history; the end of the days of wooden warships powered by sail. This is an incredibly important and historical sword that deserves to be the centerpiece of the most advanced US Civil War Naval collection, and in all reality should really be reunited with its fancier sibling to be displayed at the US Naval Academy. Rarely do naval presentation swords of this level of importance come up for auction.
Very good to fine. The blade retains most of its frosty etching with some minor loss and some scattered light surface oxidation and discoloration. Blade retains some of its original polish, but is fading and dulling, and again shows scattered light surface oxidation and age discoloration. Brass hilt with an attractive, uncleaned patina, shagreen wrap with wear and retaining the original wire, which is slightly loose near the guard. The guard is slightly loose as well. Brass mourned leather scabbard very good with solid leather retaining most of its finish. The mounts are all uncleaned and have a patina that matches the hilt. The upper mount is loose and the lower mount shows numerous small dings and is missing its tension screw. The middle mount has a small crack at its spine.Condition
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Eliminate the Hassle of Third-Party Shippers: Let Cowan's Ship Directly To You!
If you'd like a shipping estimate before the auction, contact Cowan's in-house shipping department at shipping@cowans.com or 513.871.1670 x219.
At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
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