WAR OF 1812 NAVAL RELIC CANE MADE FROM OLIVER PERRY\'S FLAGSHIP USS LAWRENCE
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WAR OF 1812 NAVAL RELIC CANE MADE FROM OLIVER PERRY\'S FLAGSHIP USS LAWRENCE:
$2125.00
Very Rare and historically important, original, War of 1812 Relic Cane / Walking Stick made from wood taken from the US Brig Lawrence - the Flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry which was nearly destroyed and captured by the British during the Battle of Lake Erie and then recaptured by the American Forces and the site of the British Surrender to Perry following the Battle!!
The beautiful and historically important Relic Cane measures approx. 35\" long including the eight sided, sterling silver handle which is exquisitely engraved on each face and on the knob end. The Cane itself is finely made with a classic tapered form shaft and retains its original, rich, hand rubbed finish. On the eight faces of the sterling silver handle is exquisitely engraved, cursive text that reads \"Wood From Flag Ship / Lawrence / Com. Perry Victory / on Lake Erie / Sept. 10th, 1813 / We have met the / Enemy and they / are ours.\". The knob end of the handle is engraved with presentation text that reads \"Hon. W. P. Sheffield / From E. Babbitt\" in matching script.
We believe the recipient of the Cane may have been on William Paine Sheffield (August 30, 1820 – June 2, 1907) was a United States Representative and Senator from Rhode Island (the Cane was purchased from a Rhode Island estate although there is no direct connection to Sheffield). Identifying the presenter of the Cane is somewhat more difficult. The Babbitt family traces its roots in the United States back to 1642 in Plymouth, Massachusetts and descendents up to the mid 19th century mostly lived in southern New England and Upstate New York. There are a number of Elijah and Edward Babbitts who served in the War of 1812 (at least one as a midshipman) and the actual identity of the presenter of this Cane will need to be further researched.
We need not explain the historical importance of the Battle of Lake Erie in the History of the United States Navy and of the Nation - it should suffice to quote from the engraving on this amazing Relic Cane which repeats the universally famous Naval Battle cry that was uttered after the battle by Commodore Perry - “We have met the enemy and they are ours.�.
Click here to read a short history of the Battle of Lake Erie.
The USS Lawrence was one of two 493-ton Niagara-class brigs built at Presque Isle (Erie), Pennsylvania, by Adam and Noah Brown under the supervision of Sailing Master Daniel Dobbins and Capt. Oliver H. Perry for Navy service on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. \"Lawrence\" was launched May 24, 1813 and fitted out at Erie with the other ships of Perry\'s newly built squadron while awaiting the arrival of her crew. On August 9th Capt. Jesse D. Elliott and some 100 men arrived and helped man the squadron, which sailed on August 12th. The squadron sailed to Detroit and located the British lake squadron soon thereafter.
During the September 10th, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie, USS Lawrence served as Flagship for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry until she was disabled by enemy fire. Perry then transferred to the Brig Niagara, from which he fought the battle to a successful conclusion. In mid-1815, following the end of hostilities, Lawrence was sunk in Misery Bay, near Erie, in order to preserve her hull. Her submerged hulk was sold in 1825 and, except for a brief examination in 1836, remained underwater for nearly four more decades. In September 1875 her remains were raised, cut into sections and transported by rail to Philadelphia, where she was displayed during the 1876 exhibition celebrating the Centennial of the United States. The ship was accidentally destroyed by fire during that exhibition.
It is likely that before she was originally sunk or during one of the 19th century raisings of the Lawrence that the wood used to manufacture this wonderful Relic Cane was salvaged from the Ship. Benjamin Lossing in his “Field Book of the War of 1812� (1869) reports that “Pieces of the USS Lawrence (Perry’s Original Flagship during the Battle of Lake Erie) have been sought for as relics by the curious, and many canes and other articles have been made of the wood. Captain Champlin and Dr. Parsons, survivors of the battle, both have chairs made from the oak wood of the Flag-ship�.
This simply fantastic, War of 1812 Naval Relic Cane is in very good, original condition. The shaft is beautiful and retains its original, rich and warm hand rubbed finish. The nickel silver ferrule and steel tip are original and also in very good condition. The Sterling Silver handle has some small dents and scratches but is intact with no breaks or significant damage of any kind. We have not polished the handle but it will surely clean up beautifully. Overall this VERY attractive and Historically Important War of 1812 / United States Navy related Relic Cane is very well preserved and displays beautifully.
A very rare and wonderful piece of Early American Historical Memorabilia, an important United States Navy related Relic and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!
This Important USS Lawrence Relic Cane is offered here, as always, without reserve and the confidence that it will attract the serious attention it justly deserves.
Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at buyers request. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.
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Important Notes about Shipping Charges:
The amount quoted for Shipping & Handling is calculated by and is equal to the EXACT amount charged by the Post Office plus a $1.00 \"packing fee\" - the $1.00 fee is our only compensation for the virgin packing materials we use on all of our professionally packaged boxes as well as our cost for the salaried help that does most of our packing - as I am sure you can see, we make NO profit on the Shipping charges and, in fact, our costs are usually greater than the $1.00 fee. Please contact us if there are any issues regarding the cost of shipping.
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WAR OF 1812 NAVAL RELIC CANE MADE FROM OLIVER PERRY\'S FLAGSHIP USS LAWRENCE:
$2125.00