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DAVID G. FARRAGUT Autograph Document Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
DAVID G. FARRAGUT Autograph Document Signed
Autographs
Commander David G. Farragut Signed Document Best Known for Declaring “Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!” Prizes Won by the First Warship U.S.S. Essex During the War of 1812
DAVID G. FARRAGUT (1801-1870). Historic American Civil War Union Admiral best remembered for his Battle of Mobile Bay order paraphrased: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
April 29, 1850-Dated Manuscript Document Signed, "D. G. Farragut - Comdr U.S. Navy", 1 page, measures 8” x 12.5”, at Norfolk (VA.), Choice Extremely Fine. Nicely written and presented on pale blue wove period paper with Integral leaf, light toning. This Naval Document comprising, "A List of Vessels captured by the U.S. Frigate Essex on her last cruise in the years 1812 & 13 on the Coast of Brazil and in the Pacific Ocean. The first USS Essex of the United States Navy was a 36-gun Sailing Frigate that participated in the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, and in the War of 1812. The British captured her in 1814 and she then served as HMS Essex until sold at public auction on 6 June 1837.

Here, Fifteen (15) Captured War of 1812 Era Enemy Ships are listed, along with the dates of their capture, their tonnage, number of crewmen, number of guns, and how each warship was disposed of, including: "Burnt… Sent home but recaptured… Given up to prisoners… Sold in N.Y.," etc. Here, David Farragut certifies that the list is correct and that the ships, "were supposed to be worth at that time by a number of the residents at Valparaiso and the Officers, at about 2,500,000 Dollars."

One wonders why Farragut chose, almost forty years later, to document the prizes of the Essex, the ship on which he served as a young 12-year-old Prize Master. Certainly an extraordinarily rare and historical United States Navy Signed Document. Boldly Signed, "D. G. Farragut - Comdr U.S. Navy" in rich brown at the conclusion measuring a large 2.75” long. An important content, truly wonderful example for display.
Admiral David Glasgow Farragut was a Flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He is best remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"