Lot 63
Ericsson John 1803 - 1889 John Ericsson handwritten letter responding to Admiral Fox about the Monitor, the first ironclad warship commissioned by the U.S. Navy during the Civil War
Autograph Letter Signed, "J. Ericsson," one page, 8" x 10", November 17, 1875, New York. The letter reads in full, "My Dear Sir, The total displacement of the Monitor was 1255, as you state in your letter of the 15th inst. I return the tracing of the Monitor as it is not the work of my hand. My time is now insufficient to make drawings of original ideas as fast as they present themselves, hence I never make copies. I enclose a proof of the Monitor block handed to Johnson (not present). Yours truly, J. Ericsson." The letter is addressed to Admiral G.V. Fox, Boston. A postscript is at the bottom reads, "Admiral Gregory high freeboard and light draught proves that he reported before the Monitor was equipped for Service." Text light yet completely legible. Partial separation at mid-fold. Moderate soiling and wear along lower edge,else very good condition.
On March 6, 1862, Monitor left New York with a crew of 63, seven officers and 56 seamen. On May 15, 1862, Monitor took part in the First Battle of Drewry's Bluff, but was unable to elevate its guns enough to reach the Confederate positions, and the Union effort to advance up the James River to Richmond ended in failure. After that, the summer months settled into a monotonous routine that started each day at 5:30 a.m., when petty officers roused the crew from their hammocks. The ship was swept, bright metalwork polished and clothes scrubbed. Later on the sailors were kept busy standing watch and drilling at the cannons, while the firemen served the engines. The happiest day for the crew of the Monitor came on September 30, 1862, when the ship was ordered up the Potomac to the Washington Navy Yard for extensive repairs. Furloughs were granted to many men, and the remaining crew members enjoyed a change of routine -- better food and female visitors. Before departing from Fort Monroe on their final voyage south, the Monitor Boys enjoyed a Christmas celebration. Together they feasted on turkey, fish, oysters, a selection of meats, apples, figs, plums, jellies and wines -- much of which had been sent from the men's homes. When they left port, they had high expectations for new adventures. Those expectations soon ended in tragedy. Shortly after midnight on December 31, 1862, Monitor sank in a gale off Cape Hatteras. Sixteen crew members were lost.
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