SOLD
45,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2005 Oct 04 @ 16:16UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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EXTRAORDINARILY RARE AND IMPORTANT CONFEDERATE RAINS BARREL TORPEDO. One of two known examples in existence and the only one in private hands. This is a Rains barrel torpedo that was recovered during the Civil War in Mobile Bay, AL. and was developed by Gabriel James Rains, Chief of the Confederate Torpedo Service. Gabriel James Rains was born in Craven County, NC in 1803. Rains entered West Point and graduated 13th in the class of 1827. He was a Lt. in the 5th U.S. Inf. serving in FL. and LA. He fought in the Second Seminole War and recruited troops for the Mexican War. In early 1861 Rains had risen to the rank of Lt. Col. and after NC seceded he resigned his commission and entered the Confederate army as a Col. by September of 1861 Gabriel Rains was promoted to Brig. Gen. The authentic mushroom anchor was recovered from Charleston, SC. Accompanying are two reproduction Rains sensitive primer fuses that are exact copies made by Michael Kochan co-author of the book TORPEDOES Another Look at the Infernal Machines of the Civil War and this torpedo is pictured on page 42, bottom right, of this book. There are two iron fuse plates that held the Rains torpedo fuses. The Confederates made the torpedo from locally available materials with the main body consisting of a wooden barrel or keg. At each end is a solid pc of a pine log that was hand shaped into a cone and affixed to the ends of the bbl. At the end of each cone are loops that were used to secure the torpedo to the mushroom anchor. It was found that the bbl alone would roll in the current or tide and possibly dislodge from the anchor. Later the cones were added to streamline the bbl torpedo. Both the inside and outer surface of the bbl was coated with tar to make it watertight. After the bbl was watertight, it was filled with black powder with a small air pocket left for buoyancy. The first warship sank by a torpedo (we call them mines today) was the U.S.S. Cairo at 11:55 AM on December 12, 1862 in the Yazoo River, Mississippi. George Yost, a fifteen year old crew member of the U.S.S. Cairo, wrote "...just as we were training on the battery we were struck by a torpedo, which exploded under our starboard bow, a few feet from the center and some 35 or 40 feet from the bow proper just under our provision store room, which crushed in the bottom of the boat so that the water rushed in like the roar of Niagara. In five minutes, the hold was full of water and the forward part of the gunboat was flooded...One of our heaviest bow guns had been dismounted by the force of the explosion injuring three men…" "…Executive Officer Hiram K. Hazlett and the writer were the last two persons to leave the sinking vessel which we did by jumping into the "dingey" which was manned by two sailors, and awaited us at the stern...We moved off just in time to escape being swallowed up in the seething caldron of foaming water... Nothing of the CAIRO could be seen 12 minutes after the first explosion, expecting the smoke stacks, and the flag staff from which still floated the flag above the troubled waters…". In 1877 General Rains wrote in the Southern Historical Society Papers, Vol. III. Richmond, VA., Nos. 5 and 6, that "…Ironclads are said to master the world, but torpedoes master the ironclads, and must so continue on account of the almost total incompressibility of water and the developed gasses of the fired gunpowder of the torpedo under the vessel's bottom passing through it, as the direction of least resistance…." "…During the war with the Confederacy, there were 123 torpedoes planted in Charleston harbor and Stono River, which prevented the capture of that city and its conflagration. There were 101 torpedoes planted in Roanoke River, NC, by which, of twelve vessels sent with troops and means to capture Fort Branch, but five returned. One was sunk by the fire from the fort, and the rest by torpedoes. Of the five ironclads sent with other vessels to take Mobile, AL (one was tin clad), three were destroyed by torpedoes. There were fifty-eight vessels sunk by torpedoes in the war, and some of them of no small celebrity, as Admiral Farragut's flagship the Harvest Moon, the Thorn, the Commodore Jones, the Monitor Patapsco, Ram Osage, Monitor Milwaukee, Housatonic and others. (Cairo in Yazoo River). Peace societies we must acknowledge a failure in settling national differences by arbitration, since enlightened nations go to war for a mere political abstraction, and vast armies in Europe are kept ready for action, to be frustrated, however, by this torpedo system of mining, carried out according to views…". The destruction of Union ships during the Mobile Bay campaign was severe. On August 5, 1864 the U.S.S. Tecumseh led the 18-ship Union squadron into the Mobile Bay, which included the monitors U.S.S. Chickasaw, U.S.S. Manhattan, and U.S.S. Winnebago. Just after 7 A.M., Tecumseh opened fire on Fort Morgan. When the U.S.S. Tecumseh veered left to engage the Confederate ram C.S.S. Tennessee, the Union monitor hit a torpedo. A tremendous explosion occurred sinking the U.S.S. Tecumseh rapidly with its captain and 92 crewmen. Rear Admiral David Farragut is famous for shouting the order "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" after the sinking of the U.S.S. Tecumseh. After the naval attack of August 5, 1864, at total of nine U.S. warships and a launch were sunk as a result of these infernal machines with around 200 seamen killed or wounded. These devices may seem to be crude but they played a prominent role in the Civil War damaging or destroying more U.S. Navy ships than all of the other Confederate weapons or ships combined. The photograph is a wartime image of the Charleston Arsenal in South Carolina (courtesy Library of Congress). Several Rains bbl torpedoes can be seen in the center of the photograph. The torpedo drawings are from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion. DIMENSIONS: Overall length 43-1/2", Diameter 44". Accompanying this lot is a photocopied letter from Jack Tripp to Cdr. Owens of the naval base in Charleston, SC in which Mr. Tripp confirms his desire to have the mine transferred to the Fleet Mine Warfare Training Center to be placed on display as part of the Charleston Harbor Exhibit at Patriots Point. Anchor chain display created by Historical Ordnance Works, Woodstock, GA. CONDITION: Fine condition with most of the tar remaining on the outer surface and most of the bands intact with a few loose but secure bands. Wood has some shrinkage. Bbl has most of the orig coating and is the only one with most of the orig coating that exists. 4-55991 (25,000-100,000)
Auction Location:
12 Lafayette Road, Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, United States
Previewing Details:
Monday, October 3, 2005: 10:00am-5:30pm EST
Tuesday, October 4, 2005: 8:00-10:00am EST
Wednesday, October 5, 2005: 8:00-10:00am EST
Thursday, October 6, 2005: 8:00-10:00am EST
See terms and conditions
Buyer's Premiums:
From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
SHIPPING:
If you are the successful bidder and are unable to attend the auction in person or pick up your item, we will pack and ship your item for you. The costs for shipping include labor at $22 per hour, packing material and cartons, insurance at $0.55 per $99 valuation, and actual invoiced shipping charges.
AFTER THE SALE:
An invoice will be sent in the mail within 5-7 business days. Included will be a form for shipping instructions and a form for payment method.
Payment Details:
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Accepted Payment Methods:
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CONDITIONS OF SALE - PLEASE READ
Please be sure to read the conditions before participating in the sale.
For years, we have worked hard to develop a reputation for honesty and fairness. We have tried to apply this same principle in preparing this particular sale. So that you might know what the limitations are for this sale, we have tried to clearly outline the conditions below, which will specifically indicate how various circumstances will be handled.
1. GUARANTEE - We have attempted to make a consistent effort in cataloging and correctly describing the property to be sold. The catalog descriptions carry a limited guarantee. Please be sure that you know that. It is a guarantee to protect you against major discrepancies that would have a major effect upon the value of the item. Under no circumstances do we guarantee against anything less than a major discrepancy that would have less than a major effect upon value. This limited guarantee covers authenticity. It also covers any major restoration or repair not described. Also we guarantee against fakes, reproductions or major fabrications. As outlined above, our guarantee is limited, however, it is almost unique in a business that operates “Caveat Emptor”. This is not a perfect system, however, and it is important to be aware of that. Our intention is to be as fair as possible in our catalog descriptions but it is virtually impossible to adequately describe an antique or collectible item that has been used and shows signs of wear. If you are a discerning, highly particular customer, expecting mint or near mint condition, it is advisable that you not ever submit absentee bids here or at any auction house without seeing the item in person. Since your definition of condition might be far more particular than what any cataloger would have time or space to specify. The entire purpose of our catalog description is to give our readers a general description and idea of what the lot is and we will stand behind that description regarding a major discrepancy only. If the discrepancy is less than a major discrepancy, under no circumstances would any adjustment or refund be made. Should the need arise, the auctioneer reserves the right to make verbal corrections and provide additional information from the block at the time of the sale. Absentee bids will not be executed on items that are found to be other than described in the catalog unless we were able to contact you prior to the lot being sold and advise of this discrepancy. If we are unable to reach you or if time does not permit, we will not execute your bid. Please Note: the only thing we guarantee is what is in print in the catalog and what is announced from the block at the time of sale. Absolutely nothing discussed over the telephone or in person prior to the auction shall be construed as part of the guarantee. Since opinions can differ, particularly in the matter of condition, the auctioneer will be the sole judge in the matter of refunds. This guarantee is limited to the following time duration and limits. Please read:
A. TIME LIMIT: For live bidders it is expected that you have examined the items before you purchased them and that as you pick them up, you will re-examine them one last time. If there is a problem regarding condition, it is expected that you would notify us immediately before leaving the auction facility. If you are an absentee bidder then it is your responsibility to examine the lot immediately upon receipt. If a major discrepancy should be discovered, it is your responsibility to contact us immediately. Please note: All guarantees and options for refunds or adjustment become null and void 44 days after the auction. We pay consignors on the 45th day. Once we have paid our consignors we no longer have control for the payment and under no circumstances can we consider any refunds. If you suspect that there is a major discrepancy or problem with authenticity of your lot, it is your responsibility to contact our office before the 44 days are up and let us know that you need some extra time. We can usually make arrangements to extend the guarantee for a few days if you personally advise us. Please note: If you pay late and thus, receive your items late, it does not qualify for special privileges. The guarantee is null and void 44 days after the auction. It is your responsibility to pay for and acquire your purchases in a timely fashion. So if there is a major discrepancy, you have time to notify our office. Please remember that if you call us 46 days after the auction, there is nothing we can do about a major discrepancy except apologize to you. If you want to be considered for an adjustment or refund, it is your responsibility to notify us with 44 days after the auction.
B. LIMIT OF RESTITUTION: Under no circumstances will the auctioneer be responsible for lost profits or other financial damages. Refunds requested on the grounds of authenticity must be accompanied by at least a supporting written statement from an authority recognized by the auctioneers. Auctioneer will not be responsible for shipping costs, after auction appraisal fees, testing or any other post auction costs. If it is agreed that an item may be returned, it is the buyer’s responsibility to return it in the same condition as received.
C. TYPE OF RESTITUTION: An item that qualifies for an adjustment is limited to one of the following options:
1) Major problems, (i.e. fakes, significant alteration, major unannounced restoration, etc.) will result in full money back refund or adjustment in sale price or repair by the auctioneer. The auctioneer shall be the judge as to the final resolve.
2) Less than major problems or discrepancies are not part of the guarantee and no refund or adjustment will be considered for less than major problems.
2. RECEIPT OF GOODS - All goods sold will be tagged and can be claimed upon presentation of paid receipts ONLY. All items to be wrapped will be wrapped by the purchaser.
3. PROTESTED BIDS - In case of a disputed bid, the Auctioneer is the sole determinant as to who is the successful bidder and at his discretion may re-offer and resell the article in dispute.
4. TAX - There is no sales tax in the State of New Hampshire, thus anything bought and paid for and removed the days of the auction in New Hampshire are non-taxable. However, if yours is an absentee bid and you later have it shipped from our Fairfield offices, again there is no sales tax. But, if you are an absentee bidder and elect to pick up and pay for your things in Maine, the things will then be subject to tax unless you have a sales tax certificate.
5. NOMINAL BIDS - The Auctioneer may reject nominal bids, small opening bids or very nominal advances made with purpose of disparaging an item. If a lot fails to open for 25% to 30% of the low estimate, the item may be passed from the block by the Auctioneer and may not be re-offered until a later sale.
6. ABSENTEE BIDS - Phone, fax or mail bids will be accepted with a 20% deposit, late bids or last minute bids can be confirmed with a Visa or MasterCard number, in many cases. In such case, the bookkeeper will execute such bids competitively. It is entirely possible to buy items by absentee bid for less than your top bid price. Please Note: Absentee bids are a service provided to our customers free of charge. Every effort is made to execute all absentee bids; however, you must know that this is not a perfect system neither here nor at any other auction house. In the event of an error of omission or failure to properly execute absentee bids, the auctioneer shall not be held liable.
7. TERMS - All items are to paid for in American funds at the day of the auction. Non-residents who have not established an account with us and wish to pay by check, must do so prior to the beginning of the auction by presenting a current letter of reference from their bank or by providing references which are suitable to the auctioneer. Absentee Bidders - Directly after the auction a bill will be sent to you for the items you purchased and a total amount due. This bill is due upon presentation and must be paid immediately. The auctioneer reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank, if the auctioneer deems such action necessary to protect his interest.
8. INTEREST AND DEFAULT - Payment is due upon receipt. If the buyer’s invoice is not paid in full within 15 days of the auction, James D. Julia, Inc. has the right and will charge the buyer’s credit card of record on file for the total invoice amount. Interest will be charged on all balances not paid at the rate of 1-1/2% monthly (18% APR) effective 15 days from the date of purchase/auction. Should the buyer not comply with any of the Conditions of Sale, the damage recoverable from the defaulter shall include any loss arising on the resale of the lot, together with the charges and expenses in respect of both sales as well as any legal or collection fees incurred. James D. Julia, Inc. shall hold any money deposited in partial payment on account of any liability of the defaulted item.
9. RESERVES - Some items in this auction may carry a conservative reserve. Therefore, the auctioneer may bid on behalf of the owner or for the auction house. The purchaser will be the highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer. Please note that when a lot carries a reserve, the reserve is usually somewhere below the low estimate in the catalog. Actual reserve figures cannot be divulged, but we will tell you if an item carries a reserve should you ask.
10. WITHDRAWAL - We reserve the right to withdraw any property before sale and shall have no liability whatsoever for such withdrawal.
11. TITLE - A title passes upon the fall of the Auctioneer’s hammer. It will then be the responsibility of the buyer to make full payment prior to removing the goods from the premises. It is both the buyer’s risk and expense for removal and must be made at the conclusion of the sale unless other arrangements are made with the Julia’s Operations Manager. Please note any lots we might make arrangements for moving or storing are solely at the risk of the owner and any damage or loss occurring after the fall of the hammer becomes that of the buyer.
12. PHONE BIDS - At the discretion of the auctioneer, phone bidding may be arranged on more expensive items, (i.e. $500 or more). In order to make arrangements to bid on the telephone at the time a lot is being sold, you must contact our office in advance of the auction. We will make arrangements to call you just prior to the lot being sold so that you may bid over the telephone. There are usually a limited number of phone lines available into the room, so if you wish to bid over the telephone, it is important for you to make your arrangements early. “Cover-me Bids”: , if you wish to bid by telephone, you might also want to consider a “cover-me bid” at the time you make arrangements for phone bidding. A “cover-me bid” allows your phone contact here at Julia’s to still execute a predetermined bid amount for you in the case that they cannot get through to you on the telephone. Your phone agent is the only person who will have this bid and will only use it to bid in the event that he/she cannot reach you. Assuming you are reached via telephone, they would not use your bid, but rely on your verbal instructions.. “Cover-me bids” are not mandatory, you can place one at your discretion, they are simply a safety device in the event you cannot be reached by telephone in time.
13. AGENT RESPONSIBILITY - If you are registering or executing a bid for someone else under your number, please bear in mind that you are responsible for the settlement of that account with us regardless of whether the person you’re executing or registering for pays you or not.
14. BUYER’S PREMIUM - Shall be reduced to 20% of the final bid price, to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. This is assuming the account is paid by check, cash or any equivalent of cash. If you settle your account by credit card the buyer’s premium then shall be the standard 22% of the final bid price which will be applied to each lot sold to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price.
15. LEGAL DISPUTE - Any legal disputes arising from this auction shall be settled in the court system in the State of Maine.
16. UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE - The Maine Uniform Commercial Code, Title 11, Section 2-328 applies to this auction sale.
17. ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS - Bidding on article(s) indicates your acceptance of all of the above terms.
18. MAINE AUCTIONEER RULES AND REGULATIONS - The Maine Auctioneer Rules and regulations are regulated by the Maine Board of Licensing of Auctioneers, 35 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333.
19. AUCTIONEER’S LICENSE NUMBERS: ME License #AR83; NH License #2511: Mass. License #1406
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS.