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SAFR 12776, Model, U.S. Navy Man-of-war MARION, in wood and glass case
Description: Wooden model in wood and glass case of steamer man-of-war
MARION, with 3-masted bark rig. Black hull, red below waterline. Buff
stack, single prop, 7 gunports each side of gun deck. Wheeled guns on main
deck. Seven lifeboats.
Manufacture date: Unknown, pre-dates 1947.
Dimensions: L 88”, W 29 ½”, H 49” (case)
Materials: Wood, cord, glass, metal
Condition: Fair. Much lead disease. Some lifeboats have fallen, others
are loose.
Notes: Donated by Admiral George W. Bauer to the Museum of Science and
Industry, Feb 1951, and subsequently became part of the SFMM “core”
collection. It is described in the SFMM book as a “sailor’s model.” The
model was on display at the Treasure Island Museum for many years and was
returned in 1993. The following are excerpts from the Dictionary of
American Naval Fighting Ships about the vessel itself:
“Marion, a sloop-of-war of the fourth rate, was launched at the Boston Navy
Yard 24 April 1839. On 10 November 1839, she departed Boston on her first
cruise, to Brazil. Sunk when heaved down in the harbor at Rio de Janeiro
early in 1842, she was raised and sailed back to Boston, arriving in May.
“In ordinary at Portsmouth, N.H., when the Civil War broke out, Marion
recommissioned, 21 June 1861, and on 14 July sailed in search of the
Confederate cruiser Jeff Davis. In September, she joined the Gulf
Blockading Squadron, participating in the capture of Ship Island on the
16th. She remained on the gulf coast until May 1862, when she was ordered
to Boston for repairs. Back in service by 24 July, she sailed south to
Annapolis where she was employed as a practice ship for midshipmen until
1870. In 1871, she entered the Portsmouth Navy Yard, decommissioned and was
rebuilt as a third rate screw steamer:
“Recommissioned 12 January 1876, she cruised on the European and South
Atlantic stations until December 1882, when she returned to Portsmouth. In
1885, she was ordered to the Pacific, where she was employed on the Asiatic
station until 1890. She then returned to the United States, served briefly
in the Bering Sea on duty connected with the seal fisheries, and, in late
1891, resumed operations with the Asiatic Squadron. Assigned to the Pacific
station in 1895, she cruised along the west coast of the Americas and
amongst the Hawaiian Islands until 11 December 1897, when she
decommissioned at Mare Island, Calif. Subsequently transferred to the
custody of the State of California, she was employed as a training ship for
that State Naval Militia until 1907. On 14 March 1907, she was struck from
the Navy list and sold, 24 July, to C. E. Boudrow, San Francisco.”
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Keri Koehler
Supervisory Collections Manager
Cultural Resources and Museum Management Division
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Fort Mason, Building E
San Francisco, CA 94123-1314
Phone: 415-561-7042
Fax: 415-556-3540
Email: [log in to unmask]
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