Ringing in My Ear-- USS Merrimack's Bell Goes on Display

The April 16th Military.com site had an article on the bell of the USS Merrimack going on display at the Museum of the US Navy in Washington, DC.

It was donated by Adrian Pearsal, a collector of antique nautical items who had originally contacted the National Geographic Society about it, but they had put him in touch with the naval museum.

It is unclear whether this bell was aboard the CSS Virginia in its fight against the USS Monitor, but there is severe fire damage and a large dent, perhaps made by a burning timber striking it while it was hot. Perhaps from when it was burned at the Norfolk Navy Yard in 1861.

For many years after the war, it was with the Grand Army of the Republic and on display, but at some point in the 1920s, it went into the hands of private collectors where it remained until now.

The Navy site called it the watch bell from the 1856 Merrimack. It was also presented by Doris Pearsal. www.history.navy.mil

As Anita Ward Said, "Ring My Bell." --Old B-Runner