A rare naval architect’s model of U.S.S Hartford, 1858

This solid Oregon pine model is marked, with black ink, in minute detail.  There are hull gun ports and hull construction measurements, scuppers, boarding ladders, fender positions and rigging anchor points.  The decks show plating lines, placings for companion ways, ventilation shafts, the funnel, etc.  There are three stub masts, a rudder and decorative painted billetheads under the bowsprit.  It is raised on a cradle with two plaques stating ‘U.S.S.Hartford, 1858 2,900t and Screw Sloop l.225’ b.44’ dr 172, Cr..302 Armament 20-9 Dalb.smooth bore 2-20pdr parrot rifle 2-12pdrs.  American, 1858.

Overall height: 13in (33cm) Width: 65¾ in (167cm) Depth: 10 ½ in (27cm) £12,500

USS Hartford, a sloop-of-war steamer, was built at the Boston Navy Yard in 1858.  She marks the transition from sail to steam power in the American Navy.  Her first tour of duty was as flagship with the East India Squadron.  At the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861–1865) she was recalled to Philadelphia and refitted to serve as the flagship of David G. Farragut, initially to prevent New Orleans and the strategically important Mississippi River falling to the Confederate River Defense Fleet.  Hostilities continued for the next few years with the surrender of Baton Rouge and Natchez, and the Vicksburg Campaign (1862–1863).  Vicksburg eventually capitulated on 4^th July, having been caught in a pincer movement by the Union Mississippi Squadron on the water and the troops of General Ulysses S. Grant on land.  Hartford’s final and most decisive action of the War was the Battle of Mobile Bay on 5^th August 1864.  After only three hours of fighting the Confederate flagship Tennessee surrendered, but at great human cost.  Twelve sailors form the Hartford were awarded the Medal of Honor.  

 For the following 60 years, after numerous repairs and recommissions, she was recalled to duty in the Asiatic Squadron, the North Atlantic and the Pacific.  Hartford was such an iconic American ship that President Franklin Roosevelt wanted to build a naval museum featuring her and USS Olympia, a four-stack destroyer from World War I.  Unfortunately, when he died, these plans were abandoned and Hartford was allowed to deteriorate.  She sank at her berth at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, on 20 November 1956. 

https://collections.armynavyclub.org/objects/uss-hartford/