59

JOHN A. WINSLOW Signed Photo, Commander Union Ship Kearsarge, Sank CSA Alabama

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,400.00 USD
JOHN A. WINSLOW Signed Photo, Commander Union Ship Kearsarge, Sank CSA Alabama
Autographs
Inscribed & Signed Photograph of JOHN A. WINSLOW, Commander of the Union Ship “Kearsarge” Which Sank the Confederate Ship “Alabama” in 1864
JOHN A. WINSLOW (1811-1873). Commander of the Union Ship “Kearsarge” Which Sank the Confederate Ship “Alabama” in 1864.
Rare Inscribed and Signed Photograph, “With the compliments of Jno. A. Winslow Rear Adm’l / U.S.N. for Doctor C. F. Winslow,” no date or place (between 1870-1873 and Image from 429 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, Cal.), measuring 5” x 3.5”, Choice Very Fine. Backstamp by Bradley & Rulofson, San Francisco. The waist-up portrait has two trivial faint scratches near lower edge of image and a tiny pin prick in the upper background. Boldly signed on the verso. There are no “Signed Photographs” of Admiral John Winslow listed in either American Book Prices Current, nor in Sanders and highly desirable.

Winslow was a captain in the Union Navy in April 1863 when he took command of the USS Kearsarge. For a year and a half, he patrolled European waters searching for Confederate ships. On June 19, 1864, his victory over the CSS Alabama became on of the most famous battles of the Civil War. Winslow was promoted to the rank of Commodore as a result of his victory. He became Rear Admiral in 1870 and commanded the Pacific Squadron until 1872. He died in 1873, soon after his retirement.

Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II.
Rear Admiral John A. Winslow, USN (1811-1873)

John A. Winslow was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1811. He entered the Navy as a Midshipman in 1827, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1839 and to Commander in 1855.

During the Mexican War, he was commended to gallantry for his activities at Tobasco. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, Commander Winslow was assigned as Executive Officer of the Western Gunboat Flotilla. He was injured while commanding the incomplete ironclad river gunboat Benton in the Fall of 1861 and spent several months recovering.

Promoted to Captain in July 1862, Winslow returned to the Mississippi area for further service, but was detached late in the year. He took command of USS Kearsarge in April 1863. Over the next year and a half, Captain Winslow patrolled European waters in search of Confederate raiders, keeping his ship and crew well-prepared for combat.

On 19 June 1864, he led them to victory in one of the Civil War's most notable naval actions, the battle between USS Kearsarge and CSS Alabama.

Winslow was promoted to the rank of Commodore as a result of this action. He became a Rear Admiral in 1870 and commanded the Pacific Squadron from then until 1872. Rear Admiral John A. Winslow died on 29 September 1873, soon after retiring from active naval service.

Several U.S. Navy ships have been named in his honor, including Winslow (Torpedo Boat # 5) of 1897-1911, Winslow (Destroyer # 53) of 1915-1936, and Winslow (DD-359, later AG-127) of 1937-1959.