This is a souvenir made of oak removed from the USS Kearsarge. It is made to simulate a partially opened book with individual carved pages. The name of the vessel is deeply engraved on the front. It measures 5 1/4 in. x 2 3/4 in. x 1 1/2 in. at the widest part and 7/8 in. at the narrowest.

After defeating the Alabama the famous Kearsarge continued in active service until she was wrecked in January, 1894. At various times she was decommissioned for a year or two and then recommissioned for naval service in various areas around the world. While this piece could date between 1864 and 1894, it is likely that it is from one of her repairs during the 1870’s. There was not much salvaged from her final wrecking in 1894 other than some items which are still retained by the Navy.

The USS KEARSARGE was built in Portsmouth NH in 1861 as a steam sloop of war. She became famous when she defeated the Confederate steam sloop of war ALABAMA off the coast of France in 1864 in the last old fashioned ship-to ship-duel.

SORRY, SOLD