Merrimack Civil War Ship Relic Cup
American: Late 19th Century

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Merrimack Civil War Ship Relic Cup detail
Merrimack Civil War Ship Relic Cup
American: Late 19th Century
Turned hardwood
7 inches high, 2.5 inches diameter
Sold, please inquire as to the availability of similar items.

A commemorative turned wooden vasiform cup, presumably made of remnant wood from the famous Civil War ship, the CSS Merrimack (also known as the CSS Virginia). The ship fought on the side of the Confederacy against the USS Monitor in the battle at Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862, which made maritime history as the first battle between ironclad ships, as opposed to the wooden ships that were up until then employed in battle. While neither side could claim victory, the damages to the ships were relatively minor, and wooden ships proved no match against them, and these impressive results revolutionized naval warfare. Decorated with hand painted lettering: "REBEL RAM/ MERIMAC [sic.]/ fought the/ U. S. Monitor/ March 9th 1862/ Destroyed/ May 11th 1862/ Raised May 1876."

Wooden objects, such as gavels, frames, and trophies are frequently fashioned as souvenirs from wood from historic buildings and boats - such as timbers from the White House and the U.S.S. Constitution. The hand-painted description on this example indicates that this is a relic from the Merrimack.

The Merrimack was originally a Union ship, but at the onset of the Civil War, as the Union Navy was forced to abandon the Norfolk Naval Yard, they deliberately sank it. The Confederates managed to raise and repair it, and used it until May 11, 1862, when they were pressed upon by Union forces and destroyed the ship rather than have it fall into Union hands. The wreck remained undisturbed until 1867, when salvage began. Sections of the wooden hull and other portions were gradually brought up through 1876, when the remains were raised.

References:

Johnson, Jeff. "The Fate of the CSS Virginia." 2000. http://home.att.net/~iron.clad/thefateofthecssva.html (5 December 2002).

Quarstein, John V. "Showdown at Hampton Roads." 7 June 2002. CivilWarTraveler.com. http://www.civilwar-va.com/virginia/va-tidewater/showdown.html (5 December 2002)