Anchor Recovered Believed to be from Blackbeard's 'Queen Anne's Revenge'

Anchor recovered believed to be from Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge.

An anchor from what's believed to be the wreck of the pirate Blackbeard's flagship has been raised from the ocean floor off the North Carolina coast.

Archaeologists believe the anchor recovered Friday is from the Queen Anne's Revenge, which sank in 1718. That was five months before Blackbeard was killed in a battle.

The artifact is the second-largest item at the shipwreck, outsized only by another anchor.

Researchers retrieved the anchor from the shipwreck about 20 feet under water and were bringing it to shore. The work to retrieve it began last week. The anchor is about 13 feet long and 8 feet across.

The anchor was located on top of other items that the Queen Anne's Revenge project hopes to recover from the central part of the ship. QAR project director Mark Wilde-Ramsing has said the only remaining parts of the ship -- the wooden hull structure, ribs and a plank -- are at the bottom of the pile, protected by ballast that was stored there to keep the ship upright. Six cannon and four anchors are also in the pile.

The Queen Anne's Revenge shipwreck site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, has already yielded more than 250,000 artifacts.

 The largest exhibit of artifacts from the shipwreck, which was discovered in 1996, will be shown starting June 11 at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Wilde-Ramsing has said the team hopes to recover all the artifacts by the end of 2012.

In 1717, Blackbeard captured a French slave ship and renamed it Queen Anne's Revenge. Blackbeard, whose real name was widely believed to be Edward Teach or Thatch, settled in Bath and received a governor's pardon. Some experts believe he returned to piracy after growing bored with land life.

Volunteers from the Royal Navy killed him in Ocracoke Inlet in November 1718, five months after the ship thought to be Queen Anne's Revenge sank.

The Queen Anne's Revenge shipwreck site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, has already yielded more than 250,000 artifacts.

Nautical News From Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

Skipjack is now open EVERY day!

Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

Sunday, 1-4pm

Us Navy Wardroom dinner plates, cups and saucers.

New! Just In!

US Navy wardroom china -- bread and dinner plates, bowls, cups and saucers in great condition. Get 'em while they last!

Nautical  sailboat jewelry from the Barbara Vincent Collection.

Don't forget . . .


Mother's Day is Sunday!

And Skipjack has plenty of items for the nautical Mom, start shopping in our nautical jewelry department!

Authentic porthole re-purposed into a mirror.

Go green . . .

Incorporate authentic re-purposed ship items into your home. This vintage aluminum porthole makes a fantastic mirror and at a fraction of the weight of brass.

Skipjack's Bloaters Guide

Spring is here (finally!) . . .

And boaters are once again plying the Intracoastal Waterway. We are happy to welcome those that stop at here at "Mile Marker 0" ... many thanks to ActiveCaptain, an interactive online cruising guidebook that has featured Olde Towne Portsmouth in recent newsletters. And Skipjack's own publication, the unofficial Boater's Guide, has become a "must have" for new visitors. Check out the Boater's Guide yourself by stopping at Skipjack or Starboards Coffee Kiosk (it's free!) or check out the latest edition online anytime.

And coming soon . . .

Skipjack is opening its own small chandlery department focusing on sailing vessels and will offer both new and gently used as well as hard to find parts for the vintage sailboat. Skipjack will also have available custom services including sail repair, rigging service including stainless steel standing rigging, lifelines, rope splicing, rope to wire splicing, upholstering and custom woodwork including carving, custom teak grate decking and yacht furniture.

Our calendar is full!

What a great time to be in Olde Towne Portsmouth:

FIRST FRIDAY, May 6, 5-8pm -- Skipjack and other galleries and shops in Olde Towne will be open late with special events and refreshments. At Skipjack author Debbiann Holmes will be signing her new book, "Compromises" and master scrimshander Tony Perry will be demonstrating his art.


FIRST WEEKEND, May 7-8 -- Author Debbiann Holmes will be on deck to sign books this Saturday from 11am to 3pm and scrimshander Tony Perry will be at Skipjack throughout the day Saturday and Sunday demonstrating the art of scrimshaw.

Gosport Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8 -- Over 150 juried artists and artisans will be spread from High Street Landing for five blocks up High Street.

Farmer's Market, Saturday, May 7 -- Now every Saturday through November! Court and High Streets

Antiques to Flea Market, Saturday, May 7 -- Visit this monthly opportunity for treasure hunting in the Middle Street Garage, corner of Middle and London Streets.

Children's Museum of Virginia, Thursday, May 26 -- Grand re-opening!

Mark your calendars!

Skipjack's "Marine Folk Art Show" is back by popular demand! Opening Friday, June 3 and running til July. It’s a folksy collection of whales, mermaids, fish, fowl, carvings, paintings, models, textile, seashells, scrimshaw, sailor art and signs. Some are whimsical, others memorable, but they are all simply delightful. "It’s the greatest folk show in town!"
More information on these events and others is available through the #1 blog in Hampton Roads: http://www.anewdayinoldetowne.com/

See you soon!

And remember, you can shop at Skipjack anytime online at www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com !

Alison & Joe Elder

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

One High Street  Portsmouth, Virginia 23704

(757) 399-5012

Summer Hours:

Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5pm

Sunday, 1-4pm

Additional times by appointment

www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com

Skipjack Nautical Wares & marine Gallery is located in the quaint historic seaport of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia on the Elizabeth Riverfront, next to the Hog Island Light Fresnel Lens Exhibit Pavilion and adjacent to the High Street basin.

New Marine Art & Nautical Furnishing Arrivals This Week at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

Liberty Ship Hatch Cover Table

Liberty Ship Hatch Cover Table

Authentic re-purposed nautical end table made from a half section of a WWII era Liberty Ship hatch cover. Made of thick pine boards with heavy metal band on one end and half cup cut-out with metal band (used to hook cable to lift cover from hatch). Custom pine pedestal base stained to match top. Table marked on bottom "Snyder of Carolina". Top measures 27 X 27 inches and stands 23 inches tall.

These make attractive nautical end tables for sofas and beds. We currently have two of these matching tables in stock. For more information, go to: Authentic Liberty Ship Hatch CoverTable

Stingray Point Lighthouse

"Stingray Point Lighthouse and Marina" by Virginia artist Bill Allen. Watercolor on paper measuring 20 1/2 X 26 1/2 inches (view) and 29 X 35 inches framed. Painting of the String Ray Point Lighthouse that was dismantled in 1965 (see history below) together with the sign of the famous Sting Ray Point Marina, Deltaville's premier sailboat marina located near the mouth of Broad Creek, providing access to both the Chesapeake Bay and Rappahannock River. Doubled matted and cherry wood frame.

"Stingray Point Lighthouse and Marina" by Virginia artist Bill Allen.

About Stingray Point Lighthouse

Stingray Point Lighthouse was built in 1858 at the entrance to the Rappahannock River near Deltaville, Virginia. It was a hexagonal screwpile lighthouse. The lighthouse was automated just prior to being dismantled in 1965. Sections of the lighthouse were sold to Gilbert Purcell, a boatyard owner who hoped to rebuild the lighthouse on land, but never did. It was replaced with a steel skeletal tower build on the original foundation.

Stingray Point Lighthouse

An excerpt from a report to the Light House Board in 1865 “The light has been restored at Stingray Point, after making certain needful repairs to the screw-pile structure, which though plundered of all movable articles, was but slightly injured.” The report does not say whether damage and plundering was due to Confederates.

Stingray Point received its name from Captain John Smith, founder of Jamestown, Virginia. It is said that a stingray stung him while fishing near the point.

Authentic Vintage Ships Masthead Light

Solid cast brass vintage 360 degree ships masthead light. The glass Fresnel clear glass globe survives in good original condition with only a few minor chip infractions on the lens. Measures 11 1/2 inches tall and 9 1/2 inches wide and weighs right at 20 pounds. The weather tight hatch top is secured with three bolts. The base has three bolt mounting holes measure about 4 3/4 inches on center from each other. Retains four interior porcelain sockets that are still functional or can be replaced with new sockets if desired. We've left this fixture with it's old mellowed brass patina, but could be polished for a bright finish.



Authentic Vintage Ships Masthead Light

 This masthead light fixture can be easily used today as a post light, deck or dock light and can also be turned upside down for ceiling light. A great multi-use authentic ship light re-purposed for todays coastal home. Inside or out, this solid brass light will last forever, and it is weather tight.

Three Sail Bateau Half Hull Model "Virgil G. Dean"



Three Sail Bateau Half Hull Model "Virgil G. Dean

Handcrafted and half hull model of the three sail Bateau "Virgil G. Dean" made by Virginia artist Doug Wehner. This highly detailed half hull is completely made of wood and features a realistic painted surface. The black-painted wooden back plaque measures 7 X 24 inches and is attached with a brass plate in the lower right corner stating THREE SAIL BATEAU "VIRGIL G. DEAN" BUILT 1897. LENGTH ON DECK: 40' 6".

Vintage Lovell Brass Passageway Lights

Vintage Lovell Brass Passageway Lights

Vintage brass passageway or engine room lights produced by F.H. Lovell & Co. Arlington, N.J. recently removed from the cargo ship SS EXPORT BAY (click on link for additional information and history). Each light is stamped F.H. Lovell & Co. Arlington N.J. on the brass cage ring. These authentic brass fixtures feature standard bezel type clear glass globes and bezel style heavy brass wire cages. Lights like these were used in common work areas of the ship as well as passageways. Their housing is made of heavy cast brass and weighs 6 pounds each. The height of each light is 9 1/4 inches to the top of the cage and 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Comes re-wired with new 110-120 UL Listed fixture and ready for installation! We have nine matching in stock from the SS Export Bay available and three other matching Lovell passageway lights that accompanied the collection.

cargo ship SS EXPORT BAY

These vintage lights are the perfect fixture for both indoor and outdoor use. Can be used outdoors for deck lights, post lights, dock lights and porch lights. They're also perfect for indoor use anywhere that you need a great nautical fixture. These are also a favorite for restaurant use as booth lights and bar lights! Truly the finest made light fixtures designed to withstand the harsh conditions of oceangoing and other maritime vessels.

Need more than a couple of lights? Call us at (757) 399-5012 to discuss current inventory and best match.

We can ship up to two of these fixtures by USPS Priority Mail- medium flat rate box anywhere in the USA for $10.95.

"The Nellie Byrd"

The Skipjack "Nellie Byrd" painted by Eastern Shore of Maryland marine artist Mary Ekroos. Oil on canvas measuring 20 X 24 inches. Gilt finished wood frame.

The Skipjack "Nellie Byrd" painted by Mary Ekroos.

ABOUT THE "NELLIE BYRD"

This vessel is a 53.6' long, two-sail bateau, or V-bottomed deadrise type of centerboard sloop, commonly referred to as a skipjack. Built in Oriole, Maryland, in 1911 for the oyster dredging fleet, she is Bay-built using cross-planked construction methods. She has a beam of 26.7', a depth of 4.8', and a net tonnage of 18 tons. She carries a typical skipjack rig with a jib-headed mainsail laced to the boom and carried on wood hoops at the mast, and a single large jib with a club on its foot. The hull is painted the traditional white. The vessel has a longhead bow with a slightly raking stem and a wide, square transom stern with considerable rake. The stern shows a long, shallow tuck where the chine meets the transom. The vessel is particularly wide amidships, giving her generous work space on deck. The rudder is carried outboard on pintles mounted on the transom and skeg; the jig for the pushboat is set on the starboard side of the transom. The hull has heavy ice sheathing carried well above the waterline. The boat is flush-decked. From the stern forward deck structures include: a box over the steering gear; a cabin with a slide offset to port; a small hatch; a box over the winders; a main hatch; and a medium-sized cuddy with a slide, located just aft of the mast. There is a low taffrail surrounding the deck, higher at the stern. The pipes of the rail and the davits for the pushboat are painted white. The single mast is well-raked aft, about 15 to 20 degrees, and is set up with double shrouds and turnbuckles. There are also a forestay, jibstay, topping lift, and lazyjacks. The boom is jawed to the mast; both mast and boom are natural oiled wood. The bowsprit is hexagonal, round at its end. It is set up with one chain and one cable bobstay, and two chain bowsprit shrouds. The boom is set high and is patched with metal strips. The pushboat is carried on pipe davits over the stern. Decorations include trailboards mounted on the longhead, with the name NELLIE L. BYRD in gold on a green field with a red surround, and eagle, flag, and arrow motifs on the nameboards at the bow, the name is painted red on a black ground. There is a painted eagle billet-head on the longhead.

The Skipjack "Nellie Byrd"

Significance: This vessel is significant as being one of the 35 surviving traditional Chesapeake Bay skipjacks and a member of the last commercial sailing fleet in the United States. Out of a fleet of hundreds of skipjacks that worked Bay waters in the early years of this century, today only this small number remain to carry on the tradition of working sail. NELLIE BYRD is of interest as being one of the older skipjacks still dredging in the Chesapeake fleet. She was built in 1911 in Oriole, Maryland, following traditional Bay-area design and construction methods. She has worked in the oyster-dredging fleet since her building. For many years NELLIE BYRD was owned by Capt. William Todd of Cambridge and, at 53 1/2' long, was the largest skipjack in Dorchester County. A trio of skipjacks, owned and skippered by the Todd family, was for many years based in Cambridge. Capt. William Todd's brother Wilson owned the SALLY BRAMBLE and his brother Emerson, the REBECCA T. RUARK.



Authentic Vintage Nautical Lighting- Reclaimed and Repurposed for Today's Coastal Home

Reclaimed and re-purposed nautical lighting, perfect for all types of uses for today's coastal home.

 If there is one statement that we make that stands uncontested it is that there is no finer light fixture on the market that can rival the quality of these authentic brass caged passageway lights. These fixtures were designed to withstand the harsh conditions aboard oceangoing and other maritime vessels and have proven over the course of time to be the best.

Passageway/engine room light fixture produced by F.H. Lovell and Co. of Arlington New Jersey.

These vintage brass caged passageway or engine room lights were produced by the F.H. Lovell & Co. of Arlington, N.J. and recently removed from the cargo ship SS EXPORT BAY (see history below). Each light is stamped F.H. Lovell & Co. Arlington N.J. on the brass cage ring. These authentic brass fixtures feature standard bezel type clear glass globes and heavy brass wire cages. Lights like these were used in common work areas on board the ship as well as it's numerous passageways. Their housing is made of heavy cast brass and weigh a hefty 6 pounds each.

Authentic vintage passageway or engine room lights by F.H. Lovell and Co. of Arlington, N.J

Shown above-Bezel style brass cage, cast brass housing and clear glass cover.

 The height of each light is 9 1/4 inches to the top of the cage and 4 1/2 inches in diameter. Comes with a replaced 110-120 UL-Listed socket and ready for installation! We have nine matching in stock reclaimed from the SS Export Bay available and three other matching Lovell passageway lights that accompany the collection.

These high quality light fixtures are perfect for deck and dock lighting.

These reclaimed vintage ship lights are the perfect high quality fixture re-purposed for both indoor and outdoor use. They can be used outdoors for walkways and driveways, deck lights, post lights, dock lights, porch lights and more. They're also perfect for indoor use anywhere that you need a great nautical fixture. These are also a favorite for restaurant use as booth lights and bar lights! Truly the finest made light fixtures designed to withstand the harsh conditions of oceangoing and other maritime vessels and today's coastal home!

Perfect for walkways, gardens and other outdoor lighting.

We also have large quantities of other authentic vintage caged passageway lights available at Skipjack such as these slightly smaller sized cast brass fixtures. You may also want to preview our other selections of authentic ship lighting on our web store under MARINE, MARITIME, NAUTICAL LAMPS & LIGHTING.

Need more than a couple of lights? Call us at (757) 399-5012 to discuss current inventory. These will sell fast!

We can ship up to two of these fixtures by USPS Priority Mail- medium flat rate box anywhere in the USA for $10.95.

History of the SS Export Bay

Starboard view of the cargo ship SS Export Bay

Laid down in 1961 by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego as the MARAD type C3-S-46a breakbulk cargo ship SS Export Bay, this ship entered service with American Export Lines on their US Gulf-Western Europe route. 1978 to Farrell Lines, 1984 laid up in Reserve Fleet renamed Bay.

Serving in the commercial trades for her entire life, the Export Bay was turned over to MARAD in 1983 with her four sister ships but was never activated with the Military Sealift Command as her sisters were.

Retained at Suisan Bay under the name 'Bay'.

Retained at Suisun Bay under the name Bay as a parts hulk for her Ready Reserve Fleet sister ships, the Bay was sold for scrapping at Bay Bridge Enterprises of Chesapeake, VA in March 2011 after her three sisters were disposed of in 2010.

The Bay is the first Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet ship that Bay Bridge Enterprises of Chesapeake, Va., (will have) recycled for the Maritime Administration,” said Cheron Victoria Wicker, director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs for MARAD, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Stern view of the SS Export Bay.

“Their contract award for recycling the Bay was based upon price, performance schedule, and past performance,” she said, saying the company agreed to do the job for $397,182.

Though this is the first Suisun Bay ship the company has recycled for MARAD, it has recycled obsolete ships from the James River Reserve Fleet. The company has been a MARAD contractor since 2002 and has been qualified to bid on obsolete ships since 2005.



Gutzon Borglum Commemorative Tondo "Remember the Maine" Up for Auction

Gutzon Borglum (1871-1941) “Remember the Maine”

 I received an interesting phone call today at our gallery Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery from an unknown source notifying me of a major historical commemorative tondo marquetry carving coming up for auction next week in Madrid, Spain. The caller was pretty adamant about having the piece purchased and brought back to the United States where it belongs instead of potentially having it purchased and remaining in Spain. That's the reason for writing this blog, so for all of you Spanish American collectors and museums take notice.

The auction house Alcala Subastas lists this item in their February 16 & 17, 2011 auction catalog, lot # 206 with the description: Gutzon Borglum (1871-1941) “Remember the Maine” Tondo commemorating the victims of the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. Tropical wood marquetry depicting the American eagle on the obverse and the reverse geometric marquetry woods.  A tondo is a Renaissance term for a circular work of art, either a painting or a sculpture. The word derives from the Italian rotondo, "round." This tondo measures 91 cm. in diameter or a hair shy of 36 inches, is inscribed around the outer edge, "ONLY THOSE FIT TO LIVE DO NOT FEAR TO DIE" and "HABANA YACHT CLUB" below.

Many collectors may ask "so what's so special about this piece? Thousands of items were produced after the end of the Spanish American War celebrating America’s coming out party as a world power." Read my recent blog titled "Spanish American War Collectibles- USS Maine & USS Olympia Frosted Glass Windows".  What makes this item special is that it is a commissioned piece produced for the Habana Yacht Club by the famous American sculpture Gutzon Borglum. For those of you not familiar with Borglum, he was the artist that created the monumental presidents' heads at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, the famous carving on Stone Mountain near Atlanta, as well as other public works of art. Here's a link to Wikipedia about (John) Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum.

Photograph of Gutzon Borglum, circa 1919.

 This is all that we have been able to put together (quickly) in order to get the word out in a timely manner. Please let us know if you have any other information to include about this Borglum work of art. We  also hope this information will encourage an American buyer to pursue this exceptional piece and bring it back to the USA. So, if you're interested in this item and buy it, please send me an E-mail and let us know. Good luck!

Marine Art at Skipjack: Featuring Impressionist Marine Paintings by Sandy Nelson

 

"Sailing the Bay" by Sandy Nelson. oil on panel, 12x16

"Sailing the Bay" by Sandy Nelson. oil on panel, 12x16

 "A beautiful summer day on the Chesapeake Bay is the perfect backdrop for a painting. I never cease to be amazed, and a little bit jealous, at the number of boats out enjoying the freedom of sailing. Often I try to feel the wind in the sails and the joy of feeling the open water when I'm painting."

 Featuring Impressionist Marine Art by North Carolina artist Sandy Nelson

Sandy Nelson's influences in her art are as diverse as the great Spanish, Russian and French impressionists to a childhood amid the dark hills of eastern Kentucky. In the latter she found a sincere appreciation for the beauty of the world around her, in the former, inspiration to express it. Sandy's work is not edgy nor avant-garde; it doesn’t follow fads or trends – it is simply truth, as she perceive it. That is what she hopes the viewer takes away with them.

The subjects of her painting may be a cloud, a boat, a figure or bowl of fruit – one is as monumental as another. The paintings are memories of a moment in time, a representation of her emotions and ideas, which is transferred to the viewer. In her studio she live with these words, which remind her that it is truly a gift to be an artist.

"Summerwind" by Sandy Nelson, oil on canvas measuring 24 X 36 inches.

"Summerwind" by Sandy Nelson, oil on canvas measuring 24 X 36 inches.

"In mid-summer, the winds beckon sailors to sail the marshes and intracoastal waters. A lazy afternoon is all that's needed to beckon participants out onto the water of the intracoastals"

"I believe in Michelangelo, Velasquez and Rembrandt; in the might of design, the mystery of color, the redemption of all things by Beauty everlasting and the message of art that has made these hands blessed: Amen. Amen." Bernard Shaw.

Most of Sandy Nelson's works were created in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, her home away from home and in the coastal area of Wilmington and the Cape Fear which stretches along the coast to South Carolina.

“Weekend Sailing”  by Sandy Nelson. Oil on panel measuring 12x16 inches.

“Weekend Sailing”  by Sandy Nelson. Oil on panel measuring 12x16 inches.

"To me, boats, especially sailboats, are floating sculpture. I love the way they move over the water and punctuate the sky, the way the sails reflect color and move with the wind. I imagine the sailors on them have a different way of enjoying them. What a way to spend a weekend!"

She maintains her studio in Leland, NC but travels extensively to paint. She is a member of ASOPA, the New Mexico Pastel Society, Pastel Society of the Southwest, Midwest Pastel Society and Women Artists of the West.

Biography: Sandy Nelson has been a professional artist for many years. She studied Fine Art and painting at the University of KY and the Scottsdale Art School. Her portraits and landscapes have been accepted to national juried competitions from Maine to California, many winning national awards. Her work is included in over 60 corporate and museum collections including those of Sam Walton, founder of Walmart and George Steinbrenner, owner of the NY Yankees. She was named one of the top 200 artists by the Artists Magazine and has been profiled in “The Rotarian” an international publication. One of Nelson's portraits was the cover of “Bench & Bar” magazine in 2007 and one of her marsh landscapes graced the cover of “Carolina Art” magazine in 2008.

You can preview Sandy Nelson's artwork by following this link here to Sandy Nelson on Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Galleries -Marine Art Gallery.  Sandy Nelson's marine paintings were also recently featured on Nautical Art Blogspot.

Spanish American War Collectibles- USS Maine & USS Olympia Frosted Glass Windows

Spanish American War commemorative frosted glass window depicting the USS MAINE

A while ago an associate of ours brought in to our gallery this antique architectural window that they had bought for a room of a previous residence that they owned. The etched artwork of this famous U.S. Navy battleship is impressive and the window frame is a wonderful architectural piece from the turn of the last century. Though unquestionably a period window made around the time of the  Spanish American War, there's no provenance included concerning the maker or it's original use.

So here's a question for you American naval history buffs. What is the history of this etched glass window depicting the USS MAINE? Was it possibly a window panel from the ship itself? This is what we recently discovered about this rare Spanish American War item.

I was recently watching a re-run of the PBS program "The History Detectives," an episode that I had not seen before that certainly piqued my curiosity. The case was from season 6, episode 7 that originally aired on PBS August 11, 2008 titled "USS OLYMPIA GLASS."  The History Detective Wes Cowan had traveled to to a farmhouse in Fremont, Nebraska to examine an elaborately designed etched glass window of the USS OLYMPIA. The owner, Earl Pederson wanted to know if this fragile glass door once took part in a decisive battle during the Spanish-American War.

HISTORY: On February 15, 1898,  the battleship USS Maine exploded in Cuba’s Havana harbor killing 260 American officers, sailors, and marines. The U.S. government and media blamed Spain for the atrocity, giving expansionists a reason for war. A nation divided over expansion now united against a common enemy. On the morning of May 1, 1898, Commodore George Dewey steams into Manila Bay in the Philippines for a critical confrontation with the main fleet of the Spanish empire. For the next seven hours, the harbor is set ablaze in a barrage of exploding shells. When the battle is over, the world has been transformed. Ten Spanish ships have been destroyed, and the naval might of the once-great Spanish empire lies in ruins. Dewey’s victory in turn launches America onto the world stage. He returns home a national hero.

Now, on a salvaged door installed in an old farmhouse, the owner thinks he may have part of Commodore Dewey’s flagship –  a window salvaged  from the historic vessel.

Spanish American War commemorative frosted glass window depicting the USS OLYMPIA.

Earl had written a letter and sent it to the museum and got the reply back that this window was from Admiral Dewey’s quarters. In 1977 he made a rubbing of the window and mailed it to the Cruiser Olympia Association, a nonprofit group of veterans and enthusiasts who were then in charge of preserving the retired ship. The association told Earl that they believed the window had once been on the ship, and may even have seen action in the Philippines. They acknowledged that they couldn't pinpoint the exact date the window would have been installed onboard. Numerous alterations were made to the Olympia throughout its naval history. But they were confident that the window is authentic.

After meetings with USS OLYMPIA experts, the consensus is that this kind of a glass window could have been aboard the Olympia at that particular time. The Olympia was built specifically to be the flagship of the Asiatic squadron, the Captain’s and Admiral’s cabin particularly were replete with the finery of decoration that were all necessary for entertaining dignitaries.

This led the detectives to a meeting with Jesse Lebvoics, the  manager of the USS OLYMPIA now permanently docked at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia for his opinion. It’s possible. The ship has refit several times, most aggressively in 1901-1902 where a lot of the ornate wood work and various other pieces were removed.

Jesse referred to the original 1895 as-built blueprints and the spaces that are mentioned in that letter from the Cruisers Association: the Admiral’s cabin and the Captain’s cabin. The only window on the prints is located on the outside of the cabin. They measured the opening that turned out to be smaller than the 24 X 24 inch glass window. A second location not on the drawings was measured, but again the dimensions were wrong, concluding the there was no place on board that the window would have fit on this vessel.

So the mystery deepens. Craig Bruns at the Independence Seaport Museum was next on the list.  So History Detectives contacted him to see if he could help find an answer to the history of the window.

Craig explains that this was America’s coming out party as a world power, and Dewey was the face of
that glory. Dewey’s image became the hottest selling item…and in the postwar jubilation, even many of those
Americans once against war and expansion were caught up in Dewey-mania. Commemorative items of all types were produced in large numbers from dime store items to advertising products...everyone wanted to be on board. The window is just another piece of Dewey mania. From the smallest town to the biggest city, citizens had to have a Dewey artifact to express their patriotism: it was part of being American. But the glass window is an extremely rare Dewey memento. Most collectors haven’t seen anything like it, and remarkably, it’s survived intact for over a century.

M. A. Disbrow & Company, located at  1201 Nicholas Street, Omaha, Nebraska.

Since the airing of this episode of the "History Detectives" approximately six other examples of these windows have been reported to the staff at History Detectives. One person had some important information to share. He showed a catalog from M. A. Disbrow & Company, located at  1201 Nicholas Street, Omaha, Nebraska. This company specialized (as advertised on the sides of their attached buildings) "window & door frames, building & roofing paper, mouldings, sash, doors, blinds." Among a number of patriotic etched windows was the very same of the USS Olympia.

Etched glass window of the USS MAINE recently sold at auction.

Another etched glass window depicting the USS MAINE was recently sold  at auction. The description from the auction stated: C.1898 EXCEEDINGLY RARE ETCHED GLASS WINDOW USS MAINE
the glass is very detailed with etching of the USS MAINE that allows for a frosted and clear effect with period detailing. The window was purchased from the Rogers Bank Building in Nebraska which was built in 1894 and closed in the early 1930s after the depression years forced the doors to close.

Follow the link here to the architectural window with etched glass of the "USS MAINE" at Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery.

Follow this link here to watch the episode "USS OLYMPIA GLASS" on PBS "History Detectives."

Antique architectural window with frosted and etched glass
depicting the "USS MAINE" at Skipjack. 

 Skipjack Nautical Wares

& Marine Art Gallery

620 High Street, Portsmouth VA 23704 ~ 757-399-5012

www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com