West Sea Co. VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY Catalog Page 15

West Sea Company

VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Catalog Page 15

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15.89 SCHOONER PHOTO. Original 19th century albumen photograph of a 3-masted schooner at anchor. The reverse is signed in pencil “Sch at Boston.” The image measures 4 ½ by 6 ½ inches and is mounted on its original heavy photo card mount 6 ½ by 8 ½ inches. Untouched original condition. 5

15.88 SCARCE MID-WEST NAUTICAL PHOTO. Authentic 19th century albumen photograph of the 3-masted schooner C. C. MILLER in drydock. The upper left back of the photographed is penned in old ink “C.C. Miller,” then in pencil “Des Moines.” The clear original image was printed from a glass plate then mounted on its original heavy photo card mount measuring 10 by 12 inches. The image is 6 by 8 inches sight. Untouched original condition. 19

The Des Moines River, an upper tributary of the Mississippi, is the largest river in Iowa and the namesake of the state’s capitol and largest city which was incorporated as Fort Des Moines 1851, then shortened to Des Moines in 1857.

IMAGE

15.87 PERIOD SHIPBUILDER’s PHOTO. Genuine, very early 1900’s silverplate image of the brand spanking new steam/sail fishing schooner “SURF” as seen on the quarterboard. This detailed sepia tone image depicts the vessel from a port bow aspect along the wharf. The handsome 2-masted schooner has a turtle focs’le and a small pilot house with a very prominent smokestack just abaft the small pilot house. It is docked in the frigid waters of the Massachusetts winter, frozen in thin ice. The lower right of this photograph is blind signed (impressed) “PHOTO BY / GEORGE W. LORD / FORE RIVER SHIP B’LD’G. CO.” It is mounted to its original stiff card which measures 11 by 14 inches. The image itself measures 7 ½ by 9 ½ inches. Absolutely perfect condition, being as bright as the day it was taken! 95

The steam/sail 2-masted schooner SURF, call sign LCGR, was launched by the Fore River Shipbuilding Yard, Quincy, Massachusetts in early 1911. She had a length of 118 feet, a breadth of 22 ½ feet and a draft of 12 feet. She was owned and operated by the Bay State Fish Company, Boston, which to this day has a prominent presence on Boston’s downtown waterfront.

DETAIL

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15.84 USS OLYMPIA PHOTOGRAPH. Impressive panoramic photograph of the festive welcoming of Admiral Dewey’s flagship the USS OLYMPIA upon returning from its around the world cruise and celebration of it victory over the Spanish Armada in the Spanish-American War. This original silver plate photograph is blind signed lower right “Copyright 1902 C. E. BOLLES, BROOKLYN, N.Y.” It depicts the white battleship surround by numerous tugboats festooned with flags and pennants. Several bear bold banners reading “POLICE.” In the background can bee seen the harbor surrounds, which look more like Boston than Brooklyn. The perfect image is clear and bright, measuring 7 by 9 ¼ inches sight under a gray mat measuring 13 by 15 inches. An original historic photograph over 100 years old. 295

IMAGE

15.83 FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPH. Genuine very early 1900’s glass plate silver print of the Cruiser USS CHESTER (CL-1) on a speed run, as taken by renowned marine photographer N.L. Stebbins. This spectacular photo is signed lower left, “18486 U.S.S. Chester Copyright 1908. by N. L. Stebbins. Boston, Run 10. South – 25.07 knots.” The port bow shot shows the vessel under a full head of steam belching black coal smoke. This detailed image bears close scrutiny under magnification revealing the Union Shield adorning the prow, 5 inch deck gun, officers manning the flying bridge and many other deck details, including crewmen aft. The coast of Massachusetts can be seen in the distance. 8 ½ by 7 ½ inches sight, mounted on its original hard dark gray card 14 by 11 inches. Shrink-wrapped on foam core backing. Mint condition. 269

USS CHESTER (CL-1) was the first ship to be so named, after the city of Chester, Pennsylvania. She was launched on June 26, 1907 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine and was commissioned in Boston on April 25, 1908.

During the years leading up to World War I CHESTER steamed to Africa, South America, the Mediterranean and participated in U.S operations during the Mexican uprising in 1911.

In April, 1912, CHESTER escorted the RMS CARPATHIA back to New York, after the CARPATHIA had picked up survivors from the RMS TITANIC.

After a period in reserve from December 1911 through November 1913, CHESTER returned to duty in the Gulf of Mexico guarding American citizens and property during the Mexican revolution. She joined in the occupation of the customs house at Veracruz on April 21st, and transported refugees to Cuba, performed various diplomatic missions, and carried mail and stores to the squadron off Veracruz until mid-June 1914, subsequently returning to Boston for overhaul.

Late in 1915 into 1916 CHESTER was in the Mediterranean to aid in relief work in the Middle East, and off the Liberian coast in support of the government there threatened by insurrection.

Beginning in late March 1917 CHESTER patrolled off the U. S. East Coast, sailing for Gibraltar in late August to begin convoy escort duty between Gibraltar and Plymouth, England. On September 5, 1918, the cruiser sighted an enemy submarine. In attempting to ram the enemy, CHESTER passed directly over the U-boat as it dove, damaging her own port paravane. Depth charges were dropped on the submarine, but no further contact was established.

At war's end, CHESTER carried Allied Armistice commissions on inspection tours of German ports, then carried troops for Army operations into northern Russia. On her last homeward voyage in April 1919, she returned American doughboys to New York, arriving May 7th. She was decommissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on June 10, 1921 and sold for scrap in May 1930.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Class: Chester
Type: Light Cruiser
Displacement: 3,750 tons
Length: 423.1 ft
Beam: 47.1 ft
Draft: 16.8 ft
Speed: 24 knots
Complement: 359 officers and enlisted
Armament: 2 – 5 inch/51 cal, 6 - 3 inch /50 cal guns, 2 - 21 inch torpedo tubes.

15.80 IDENTIFIED SAILING SHIP PHOTO. Authentic, very early 1900’s photograph of the 3-masted American bark ‘SEA KING’ as boldly labeled in the photographer’s own hand lower left. This port broadside view shows the handsome vessel at anchor, near shore in icy waters. The detailed original image, probably made from a glass plate, exhibits incredible detail and bears close scrutiny under magnification. It clearly shows two crewmen on the ship’s focs’le and the fine details of its rigging. A ship’s boat is visible on deck just forward of the poop and another is in the water just behind the stern. The image measures 4 ¾ by 6 ¾ inches sight and is mounted on its original impressed heavy card backing. It is housed under old wavy glass in its original hand-carved walnut frame with gilt liner. This nice frame alone is easily worth $50! Adding even more to its value and appeal, an original old newspaper clipping is attached to the back. It reads (in part), “Pictured above is the bark Sea King which was built at Bowdoinham in 1877… She was welcomed back to the scene of her birth Feb. 16, 1910.” This photograph may actually predate the clipping, but the combined value of the association is real.

Bowdoinham is a town in Southern Maine in the South Portland / Biddeford area. The town is located on the west side of Merrymeeting Bay on the Cathance River. The history of the region dates to Fort Richmond which was built upriver in 1719, protecting the area and encouraging English settlement. About 1720, the mouth of the river was first settled by Captain Gyles Watkins. Well known for its shipbuilding dating from the 1700’s, this area of coastal Maine produced some of the finest sailing ships to ply the seas during the 19th century.

IMAGE

15.82 FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPH. Deck view of 20 officers on the famous Civil War sloop of war USS LANCASTER, taken in Yokohama Japan in 1893, as indicated by the original pencil inscription on the back. The central figure in this photo is Rear Admiral David B. Harmony, Commander of the Asiatic Squadron from 1892-1894. Standing to his right is the ship’s Captain, flanked by junior and senior officers. Behind these men can be seen various details of the ship’s rigging, booms, and stays. Directly behind the Captain is the faint outline of another square-rigged ship! This period albumen photograph in sepia tones is on its original mat, within a lovely period walnut frame with gilt liner under old wavy glass. The image itself measures 8 ½ by 10 ½ inches, while the frame measures 15 ½ by 17 ½ inches overall. An historic Naval image, beautifully preserved! 795

USS LANCASTER was laid down at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in December 1857, launched on October 20, and commissioned May 12, 1859. She was a steam/sail sloop of war displacing 2362 tons with a length of 236 feet, armed with 24 nine inch guns and 2 thirty pounders.

LANCASTER departed Delaware Bay on July 27th, 1859 for the Pacific Ocean where she served as flagship of the Pacific Squadron until 1866.

On November 11, 1864, a secret expedition of boats from LANCASTER captured a party of Confederate officers in the passenger steamer SALVADOR, outside the Bay of Panama. The officers had planned to seize the merchant ship for the Confederate Government and convert her into a raider to capture Union gold shipments from California.

In the spring of 1866, LANCASTER underwent overhaul at the Mare Island Navy Yard, then sailed from San Francisco for the east coast, via Cape Horn arriving at the Norfolk Navy Yard where she was decommissioned on May 19th 1867.

Recommissioned on August 26th 1869, LANCASTER sailed for the South Atlantic where she was part of the force concentrated at Key West to avert war with Spain over the “VIRGINIU affair” when Spanish officials in Santiago de Cuba seized the American steamer and executed a part of her crew. After diplomatic efforts resolved the controversy LANCASTER sailed to the Navy Yard at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The ship was again decommissioned on July 31, 1875.

Recommissioned on August 26, 1881 LANCASTER sailed from Portsmouth, via New York, for Europe, arriving at Gibraltar on November 9th. She became flagship of the European squadron and during the following years cruised extensively in the Mediterranean, northern European waters, and off the coast of Africa.

Early in 1885 LANCASTER sailed down the west coast of Africa en route South America where she served as flagship of the South Atlantic squadron until 1888. In January 1888 LANCASTER sailed back to Europe arriving at Gibraltar on April 6th for duty as flagship of the European Squadron until July 1889, when she returned to the United States, arriving at the New York Navy Yard where she was decommissioned in September. Recommissioned on March 19, 1891, LANCASTER embarked Rear Admiral David B. Harmony and proceeded to the Far East. She arrived in Hong Kong on January 4, 1892 and served as flagship of the Asiatic Squadron, cruising the coast of China and Japanese waters. It was during that cruise this photograph was taken. LANCASTER sailed from Hong Kong on February 15, 1894 for the United States, via the Suez Canal, and arrived at New York on June 8th where she was again decommissioned.

With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, LANCASTER recommissioned on May 5th, 1898 and sailed to Key West, Florida, where she served as station ship during the conflict. When the war ended she sailed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for duty as a gunnery training ship. In January 1899 LANCASTER cruised along the Atlantic coast and in the West Indies and made her final cruise to Europe June 1900 to March 1901. In May LANCASTER decommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Her name was stricken from the Navy list on 31 December 1915 and her hulk was broken up in 1933.

As a point of interest, the massive eagle figurehead of the LANCASTER, the work of famous ship carver John Haley Bellamy, is currently preserved in the collection of the National Maritime Museum (Mariner’s Museum), Newport News, Virginia. With its expansive wingspread of 11 feet, it is the largest and most recognized figurehead in North America!

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15.79 EARLY NAVY PHOTO. Very unusual late 19th century albumen photograph of officers posed on the deck of a U.S. Navy warship. What is so very rare about this group photo is that women in their Victorian finery are mingled amongst the smartly uniformed officers! There are a total of 19 officers and 4 women plus a crewman behind and 2 standing on the upper deck in the background, for a total of 26 individuals. A large Dahlgren gun is shown in the left foreground. On the deck above stands a sailor in flat hat holding a large telescope. To his left is an early wooden hexagonal binnacle on pedestal with another sailor standing behind. Faintly visible is standing rigging and a mast indicating this is aboard a sailing ship. And the fact that the binnacle is non-compensating means it is a wooden sailing ship! The image itself measures 7 ½ by 9 ½ inches sight. It is mounted on its original heavy card backing which is signed “CREWES, PHOTOGRAPHER CAPE TOWN”. There is a faint penned inscription in the lower center which we have not been able to decipher. Perhaps a better eye could ascertain the identity of the ship! The mat opening is 9 ¼ by 10 ¾ inches mounted in a period frame under glass measuring 14 by 16 ½ inches. Condition is acceptable. The image is very clear but lightly soiled. There is a small tear with puncture upper middle which does not affect the main field of view. Circa 1880. 195

SIGNATURE DETAIL CAPETOWN

15.78 EARLY SUBMARINES PHOTO. Important, historic bird’s eye view photograph of the United State Navy's fledgling submarine base at the Panama Canal just after the First World War. This documentary sepia tone photograph on heavy card photographic paper depicts four large submarine tenders with submarines nested alongside. At least 13 submarines are seen in their berths with yet another clearly visible underway lower left. It is a high resolution image which bears close scrutiny under magnification, revealing details of the ships, the subs, a lighthouse in the distance and the masts and funnel of a ship at dock in the foreground. It is signed "PHOTO © BY A. E. WELLS" lower left. This original print measures 7 by 9 inches sight and 8 by 10 inches overall, housed in its original gilt walnut frame measuring 12 by 14 inches. Outstanding original condition. Clear and bright. A rare, historically important image documenting America's submarine service during its infancy! 295

This exact photograph is shown at: http://www.tendertale.com/ttd/ttd4/ttd4.html the U.S. Navy’s unofficial website for submarine tenders. It is entitled, “Photo # NH 42573 Submarines and submarine tenders at Cristobal Canal Zone, circa 1923.” The tenders are (left to right): SAVANNAH (AS-8), BUSHNELL (AS-2), BEAVER (AS-5) and CAMDEN (AS-6). Submarines are mostly "R" type boats, among them R-23 (SS-100) and R-25 (SS-102), both in the nest alongside SAVANNAH's port quarter. The bigger submarine alongside SAVANNAH's bow may be S-1 (SS-105), with her large seaplane hangar. As shown the vessels are moored in Manzanillo Bay just off of Coco Solo Point to the right. The lighthouse is on Margarita Island and the pier in the foreground is Manzanillo Point.

When the Panama Canal opened in January of 1914 the United States was very concerned about protecting its strategic investment. At that time submarines were still considered as a coastal defense force and not useful for much else. So like Naval forces on Asiatic Station "showing the flag," five C Boats (OCTOPUS, STINGRAY, TARPON, BONITA, and SNAPPER) were deployed to Coco Solo with their tenders.

A. E. Wells was THE official photographer for the U.S. Navy, War Department in the early 1920's. His photographs are contained in the archives of the Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington D.C. as well as numerous American museums nation wide.


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15.77 FAMOUS PHOTO. Original ship’s photograph of the USS BALTIMORE (Cruiser No. 3) taken by professional marine photographer Enrique Hart in New York Harbor as the vessel proceeded to the Presidential Review at Oyster Bay, New York 15-17 August 1903, with Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, embarked. The hand-penned inscription at the bottom of the photograph reads, “U.S.S. Baltimore. With President of the United States and Party, en route to G.A.R. Encampment at Boston, Mass.” Signed lower right “E. H. Hart. 248 - E. 23D St., N.Y.” This sepia tone photograph shows a starboard bow view of the imposing iron man-o-war with ram bow, two masts and two funnels, flying the American ensign from the stern. Several crewmen can be seen on the focs’le and open bridge. Sailing craft dot the background and the New York waterfront is in view. This fine image under old wavy glass measures 8 by 9 ½ inches sight and is housed in its ornate Eastlake walnut frame measuring 12 by 14 inches. Outstanding original condition in all respects. 795

USS BALTIMORE was launched October 6, 1888 by the William Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and commissioned January 7, 1890.
BALTIMORE saw action in the Spanish-American War during the famous Battle of Manila Bay under Commodore George Dewey, 1 May 1898. The ship saw limited action in World War I before being decommissioned on September 15, 1922.

From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, this excerpt: “From 5 August to 23 December 1903 USS BALTIMORE (Cruiser No. 3) served with the Caribbean Squadron, North Atlantic Fleet, taking part in summer maneuvers off the coast of Maine, in the Presidential Review at Oyster Bay, New York (15-17 August), and in Santo Domingo waters. From 28 May to 26 August 1904, she was attached to the European Squadron and cruised in the Mediterranean. On 26 September she sailed from Genoa, Italy, for the Asiatic Station and spent the next two years cruising in Asiatic, Philippine, and Australian waters.”

During the journey documented in this photograph, President Teddy Roosevelt delivered a speech to the Holy Name Society in Oyster Bay, New York on August 16,1903. He is quoted: "It is no use to preach to [children] if you do not act decently yourself."

After returning from the journey, in a letter to the citizens of Oyster Bay dated September 1st, the President wrote: "There are good men and bad men of all nationalities, creeds and colors; and if this world of ours is ever to become what we hope some day it may become, it must be by the general recognition that the man's heart and soul, the man's worth and actions, determine his standing."


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15.50 MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPH SET. Complete set of 5 exhibition photographs taken by professional marine photographer Kenneth Jenkins of Oakland, California. These museum quality photographs each bear exhibition markings on the reverse indicating that they we shown at the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, Virginia in 1953. The prints are numbered consecutively 1 through 5 and are meticulously titled, described, and documented in the photographer's own words on the reverse. They read: "1. SCHOONER BOWS, Not exactly a common sight today, two large 3-masted, deep-water schooners berthed side by side. The schooners being the CHARLES R. WINSLOW and her near-sister C. A. THAYER; 2. BLACK DOUGLAS, The converted schooner BLACK DOUGLAS taken from a Mexican "Bum Boat"; 3. LIMEJUICE TRAMP, A typical British Tramp Steamer, the S/S KINGSMOUNT; 4. SEAMYSTERY, The Liberty Ship SEAMYSTERY; and 5. MEXICAN LEE, The converted schooner BLACK DOUGLAS, photo taken on Isla Santa Margarita." Each of these original black and white photographs measures 7 by 9 1/2 inches sight and is mounted onto its original card measuring 16 by 20 inches. All are in an outstanding state of original preservation. A rare full set of museum photographs well over a half century old! 95 for all five!


NUMBER 2	NUMBER 3	NUMBER 4 FULL MAT	NUMBER 5	BACK

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15.69 WHALESHIP PHOTOGRAPH. Very early 1900's sepia photograph of the whaling Bark CANTON underway at sea. This large original photograph shows a starboard bow aspect of the vessel under full sail. Most likely it was taken by the photographer while in a whaleboat, as only one of the two starboard side boats is shown in its davits! This excellent old image measures 15 1/2 by 20 inches sight and is housed in its original black oak frame with fine mat under old wavy glass measuring 27 by 32 inches. Outstanding, virtually perfect original condition. Circa 1906. 795

Authorship of this photograph is attributed to famous phographer, writer and historian, Albert Cook Church who wrote the book, "Whale Ships and Whaling." On page 165, entitled "Data on the Vessels Illustrated" there is an entry for the CANTON listed as a bark of 238.82 tons, length of 103.1 feet, beam of 24.8 feet, depth of 15.4 feet, built in Baltimore in 1835. According to The "Continuation of Alexander Starbucks's History of the American Whales Fishery 1876 - 1928" the CANTON saw service as a whaler out of the port of New Bedford in 1874 under the command of Peleg Sherman on a very successful voyage to the Indian Ocean which netted 1530 barrels of sperm oil. The ship pressed on in continuous service logging at least 14 whaling voyages. She met her demise in the Cape Verde Islands on November 9th, 1910 on a voyage which began in 1909. Accordingly this photograph has to date prior to 1909.

The venerable 227 ton whaleship CANTON was built in Swansea, Wales in 1836. According to The "Continuation of Alexander Starbucks's History of the American Whales Fishery 1876 - 1928" the CANTON first saw service as a whaler out of the port of New Bedford in 1874 under the command of Peleg Sherman on a very successful voyage to the Indian Ocean which netted 1530 barrels of sperm oil. The ship pressed on in continuous service logging at least 14 whaling voyages. She met her demise in the Cape Verde Islands on November 9th, 1910 on a voyage which began in 1909. Accordingly this photograph can be dated prior to 1909.

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15.68 EARLY SHIP PHOTOS. Interesting compilation of 2 period photographs depicting the famous early West Coast liner SIERRA. The first is a classic commemorative in the form of a wooden ship's wheel encircling a sepia tone photograph of SIERRA at anchor, circa 1910. The photograph is extremely clear, showing numerous crew and passengers on deck with the name "SIERRA" clearly visible on the port bow. The ship's wheel frame is hand-painted "S.S. SIERRA" in fancy lettering with a fouled anchor. The second larger photograph, taken approximately 10 years later, shows war weary USS SIERRA, differently configured as a troopship, underway returning from the European theater with literally thousands of soldiers standing on every square inch of topside space available! This sepia toned starboard bow aspect, again is extremely detailed, bearing close scrutiny under magnification, clearly showing the vessel name. In addition it is titled by the photographer, "U.S.S. SIERRA" lower center. It can be precisely dated to 1919. Both images are in good condition. The larger evidences some toning and minor flaws. Both are within their original frames under old wavy glass. The first measures 5 1/2 inches in diameter sight, with the wheel 12 inches across. The larger photo measures 18 1/2 by 11 inches sight, within its simple wooden frame measuring 20 1/2 by 13 inches. 495 /pr

The first commissioned Naval ship to bear the name SIERRA. was built by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia in 1900. She was a passenger steamer of 416 feet in length, breadth of 50 feet, with a mean draft of 24 feet. Initially owned by the John D. Sprekels Brothers Company of San Francisco, California, SIERRA was operated by the Oceanic Steamship Company in service between San Francisco, Sydney and Honolulu. With America's entry into World War I SIERRA. was acquired by the Navy on May 27, 1918, refitted as a troop carrier, and commissioned a U.S. Navy ship on July 1. SIERRA. was assigned to transatlantic station transporting troops to France until War's end. After the War SIERRA. remained in Naval service transporting American soldiers home, as seen in this photograph. She was decommissioned on October 1, 1919 and returned to her owners for merchant service.

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15.66 LAUNCHING PHOTOGRAPHS. Pair of original large format black and white photographs detailing the launchings early in World War II of the Liberty Ships BENJAMIN FRANKLIN and PAUL REVERE from the California Shipbuilding Corporation's facilities in Los Angeles. These extremely clear images show the ways and surrounding wooden structures of the shipyard. In the case of the Franklin, unfinished sister ships flank both sides, with numerous yard personnel visible on the deck of the ship to the right. In the distance, all manner of pleasure craft and a tugboat can be seen. In the case of the Revere, there is little fanfare. Only a lone gentleman on the dock is to be seen. However a view of the surrounding port facilities is clearly visible in the distance. Each image is matted and titled in pencil lower center, "CAL-SHIP HULL 3" in the case of the Franklin and "CAL-SHIP HULL 5" for the Revere. Each is untouched in its original simple wooden frame under glass measuring 16 by 18 inches overall. 195/pr

The S.S. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was 3rd and theS.S. PAUL REVERE was 5th ship built at "CALSHIP" just after America's entry into the War in early 1942. Liberty ships were normally recorded with their U.S. Maritime Commission numbers (the number shown on the builder's plate), those being 66 and 68 for these ships respectively. In a special edition of CALSHIP's magazine, "The 400th Ship Issue," this identical photograph of the just-launched PAUL REVERE appears.

"The maiden voyage of the Benjamin Franklin was an uneventful delivery of 10,000 tons of bombs, fuses, rations, trucks, gasoline, road graders, flour, Army cots, asphalt, lime and nitrate to Vila in the New Hebrides. She returned by way of Antofogasta, Chile for a cargo of ore. The only break in the routine came when a fireman did not report on the 4 to 8 watch. "A thorough search was made," said the ship's log. "Various members of the crew were questioned as to when the man was last seen and why he might want to jump overboard. He was not found."" (John Bunker, "Liberty Ships," 1972, Ayer Co. Publishers, Salem, New Hampshire.)


FRANKLIN	REVERE

15.61 EARLY LAUNCHING PHOTOGRAPH. Important and rare, signed, dated and identified early albumen photograph of the launching of the 4-masted schooner FREDERICK BILLINGS at Rockport, Maine, 1885. This fabulous photograph depicts the exact moment when the large schooner plunges into the water, much to the delight and amazement of onlookers poised in small boats in the foreground. The photograph shows remarkable detail and bears close scrutiny under magnification to see the surrounding town, the intricacies of the ship itself, and the numerous onlookers -- on shore and on the decks. The back of the image is boldly signed by the photographer, "Ship Frederick Billings, Built by Carleton, Norwood & Co., Rockport, Maine, 1885, Master Builders, John Pascal & Son. - Dimensions of Ship: . . . - Photographed by W.V. LANE, Camden, ME." It goes on to advertise the photographer's prowess and states, "These views give a perfect picture of the ship as she descended into the water. The friction of the ways was so intense as to cause smoke, like fire, and it is photographed perfectly in the picture." The image measures 7 3/4 by 9 1/2 inches sight and is professionally matted under old glass in its original gilt-lined walnut frame measuring 13 1/2 by 15 1/2 inches. A really exceptional photograph which captures a remarkable moment in time over 135 years ago! 495

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15.51 CIVIL WAR SAILOR. Very fine cased tin type image of an American sailor during the Civil War. This eighth plate tin type depicts a very handsome young man posed in a studio setting in the typical "flat hat" of the era with a bos'n pipe lanyard prominent on his uniform. Encircling the oval image is a bright gilt patriotic metal border depicting eagles carrying American flags, cross rifles and swords, cannons and drums, all within an ornate foliate border. This in turn is encased under glass in a wooden leather covered case with hinged lid lined with velvet in a decorative floral pattern. The exterior of the leather case is embossed with floral designs and retains its original hook and eye closure, all in outstanding condition. 2 1/2 by 3 inches. Very rare American Naval subject matter from the Civil War. 495

CASE

15.48 PERIOD PHOTOGRAPH. Original, 19th century albumen photograph of an American passenger vessel steaming down a river with flags flying and numerous passengers visible on deck. This 4 x 5 inch photograph contains an incredible amount of detailed imagery and bears close scrutiny under magnification. The central vessel is identified on the bow as the "D.B.C. & A. LINE's" R.G. STEWART underway with smoke belching from her single funnel. As she proceeds, she passes a variety of shipping, including a tugboat and schooner berthed on her starboard side and a lighter and large steam ship to port. Buildings line both sides of the river and a revolving bridge with several spectators spans the river in the distance. On deck scores of passengers in their Victorian finery can be seen. The men sport bolder or top hats, and the women, some with umbrellas, wear bonnets. Two large name pennants fly in the breeze, and the American flag is distinctly visible at the stern. The reverse of the photograph is signed by the photographer "William Howard." This untouched photograph is mounted under glass in a very high quality dark oak frame with an ivory border! The frame measures 7 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches and has a small brass suspension loop for hanging at the top. Outstanding original condition. Circa 1885. 395

According to the "List of Merchant Vessels of the United States - 1895" the steam screw, wooden hull passenger ship R.G. STEWART was built in Buffalo, New York in 1878. She was a Great Lakes vessel of 198 gross tons and 100 feet in length, home ported in Duluth, Minnesota. The STEWART no longer appears in the 1899 register of Merchant Vessels, proving that this image is definitely 19th century. Likely this photograph was taken of the STEWART while plying the St. Louis River which flows into Lake Superior at Duluth.


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15.41 PHOTOGRAPH. Late 19th century silver process photograph identified as the "Bark Levi G. Burgess J. Younger, Master" as hand written across the bottom. This period image shows the Burgess alongside the wharf. An old fashioned steam "donkey engine" can be seen to the left, and in the background the roof of one of the buildings reads "...RSON BUILDER." This image shows good detail under magnification and the vessel name can clearly be seen on the port bow. The image measures is in perfect condition and 7 by 9 inches sight. It is mounted on it original card (rough edges) with the additional notation on the back, "Built Thomaston (Maine) 1877." Perfect for framing. 149

This original photograph shows the LEVI G. BURGESS docked in San Francisco sometime between 1897-1900. Built as a full rigged ship by Samuel Watts at Thomaston, Maine, she was launched on Oct. 6th 1877. The LEVI G. BURGESS was named after the son of Captain Joseph S. Burgess of the famous shipping firm "Snow & Burgess" N.Y., who were part owners. She was a good carrier and made several fast passages "'round Cape Horn." Sold in San Francisco in 1887, she became a well known Pacific coast and "Offshore Trades" vessel. Re-rigged a Bark in 1897 (as shown in this photo) she did splendid service up until 1910 when she was sold to Alaska Portland Packers Association. Thereafter she operated as a salmon fisheries packer until 1928 when she was broken up and burnt for her metal.