ID’D SEXTANT, COMPASS, & PIPE – ACTING MASTER’S MATE & BOTSWAIN WILLIAM ALLEN, USS OHIO, USS SABINE – EX-TEXAS CIVIL WAR MUSEUM COLLECTION

ID’D SEXTANT, COMPASS, & PIPE – ACTING MASTER’S MATE & BOTSWAIN WILLIAM ALLEN, USS OHIO, USS SABINE – EX-TEXAS CIVIL WAR MUSEUM COLLECTION

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$1,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1268-687

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This grouping was identified in notes from the Texas Civil War Museum as having belonged to, and been used by, William D. Allen.

William D. Allen lived in Sandwich, Massachusetts and was 32 years old when he enlisted at Boston on August 30th, 1861 as a Landsman.  William, already a professional seaman, served aboard the USS Ohio and was promoted to Gunner’s Mate.  Just the type of man the wartime Navy needed, William was discharged for a volunteer commission as an Acting Master’s Adjutant – an emergency wartime rank created for volunteers with prior nautical experience.  From there, he served aboard the USS Sabine and received two further promotions; Acting Boatswain on 3/11/1863, and Boatswain 3/13/1866.  He was dismissed on 2/24/1868 and returned to his civilian nautical career.  While the USS Ohio was relegated to duty in Boston Harbor, the USS Sabine played an active role in the war – with William on board for its duty in the Atlantic Blockading Squadrons as well as the pursuit of the CSS Alabama, and the CSS Tacony.  The ship was ordered to Norfolk in 1864, where it finished the war as a training and orientation ship for new recruits.

Included in this grouping is his sextant, made in Wales by W. Weichert.  The body is brass, with inlet ivory values along the graduated arc, and a darkened patina gives it a truly period appearance overall. The instrument is complete, functional, and all lenses are free of cracks. The wood handle is stamped “USN / 1862 / GGS / R” and is in excellent condition.  Following close examination, we believe the “USN” and “1862” are spurious and added sometime later to enhance the piece. No case accompanies the instrument.

William’s compass has a brass body with light tarnish and remains operational.  The glass front is uncracked and the suspension ring is still firmly attached. The diameter measures 2”.  No markings or stampings are noted.

Lastly, a carved, wood pipe head forms something of an Ottoman Sultan motif.  The bark forms the head wrap, while extensive hand-carving was used to create the face.  The pipe has likely seen no use, as no evidence of burning is noted and the condition is quite good. Dimensions are approximately 2” x 2.75”.

A very interesting Naval grouping for the Civil War collector.  [cm] [ph:L]

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