From July Paul Fraser Collectibles. "Confederate Lieutenant's Colt Pistol Could Go for 15,000 Pounds." http://paulfrasercollectibles.com
The revolver of the CSS Alabama's 5th Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair is expected to get between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds at auction July 28th. Arthur Sinclair (1837-1925) was born in Norfolk, Virginia and served on the CSS Alabama from 1862-1864.
He served in the US Navy under his father starting at age 13. Among the places he served were the Mediterranean and Brazil stations and he was also with Commodore Perry when that officer went to Japan 1852-1855.
The Alabama was sunk June 19, 1864, after an hour battle with the USS Kearsarge. The majority of the crew were captured, but Semmes and Sinclair were rescued by the private yacht Deerhound, whose owner, John Lancaster, had toured the Alabama the day before the battle.
Sinclair must have been injured as he was granted a leave of absence to recuperate. Later he was posted to the CSS Texas just before the end of the war. This vessel was being completed on the River Clyde.
It is not known for sure, but thought that this pistol may have been gifted to John Lancaster in thanks for the rescue.
Sinclair returned to the US after the war and became a merchant in Baltimore and published the book "Two Years on the Alabama" in 1895. he died in Baltimore in 1925.
Although the Alabama never anchored in a southern port, its cruises did $6 million in damage to Union shipping. After the war, the US sued Britain and won the case.
I Never Heard of Sinclair Before. --Old B-Runner
No comments:
Post a Comment