Silver Presentation Pocket Watch To A Commander – USS Winona 1862. – SOLD.

Description

Silver Presentation Pocket Watch To A Commander – USS Winona 1862.  “Presented To Commdr. Albert W. Smith By The Crew Of Gunboat Winona  Dec. 25th 1862.”  Albert’s middle initial is “N,” a mistake by the engraver.  On the Civil War database, there are only 4 men by this name (Albert Smith), and of the 4 only one was an officer, Albert N. Smith.

The silver key wind watch is a size 18 in hunt case featuring a naval officer standing before a cannon on carriage, with some floral work. The back is a full rigged schooner with two other ships in the background, with a repeating of the same floral design. There is some repair work to the rim of the back cover near both sides of the hinge. White porcelain sunken dial for the second hand, with elongated Roman numerals.

The movement cover is stamped, “Patent Lever / Full Jewelled / M.J. Tobias / Liverpool.” Three sets of numbers are stamped on the inside of movement cover; top – “9851,” “3,”   “63254.”

The front cover has the presentation engraved on the outside circumference, with the date printed center. The silver was cleaned at some point to be able to better read the presentation.

Overall the watch is very good condition, showing a watch that was used a great deal by Commander Smith while serving on the Winona. It comes with the key as well; currently running smoothly.

Albert N. Smith

Residence Massachusetts; Born in Maine.
Enlisted as a Lieutenant (date unknown).

He was listed as:
* Detailed (date and place not stated) (Detailed to special duty)
Promotions:
* Lieutenant Commander 7/16/1862 
* Commander 8/11/1862 

In regard to naval enlistments – “Welles named his boyhood friend Andrew Foote the first chief of equipment and recruiting because failing health prevented him from continuing in command of the Mississippi Squadron. The newly promoted rear admiral never relished government work and despite continued poor health repeatedly requested a new assignment afloat. Foote secured command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron in June 1863 only to die two weeks later. As his successor Welles appointed Albert Smith, a gunboat commander serving with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. Smith boasted an exemplary service record and performed adequately as bureau chief, but he obviously lacked the bureaucratic skill of more experienced peers.“

Smith was the first commander of the Gunboat USS Wissahickon, delivered to the Navy on 12 November, 1861 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and commissioned on the 25th of that month. Wissahickon was assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, and participated in actions passing Forts Jackson, and St. Philip at New Orleans on April 24, 1862; took part of the attack on Confederate works at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, 9 June, 1862; engaged Confederate batteries at Vicksburg, MS., 28 June, 1862.  Joined the South Atlantic

“REPORT OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDING A. N. SMITH, UNITED STATES GUN. BOAT WISSAHICKON. UNITED STATES GUNBOAT WISSAHICKON, Off Quarantine Station, Mississippi River, April 26, 1862.

SIR:

       I have to report that at 2 a.m.on the 24th instant, in obedience to general signal, got under way and proceeded up the river, keeping our position in the prescribed order of sailing till a detention by running on shore and the dense smoke of the battle, already sometime commenced, rendered it impossible to keep it longer. Using our battery vigorously and to the best advantage possible, we succeeded in passing the forts and water batteries under a storm of shot, shell, and volleys of musketry, without loss of life or serious damage to the gunboat, which cai only be attributed to the lowness of the vessel on the water. At daylight, above the forts, we were unavoidably crowded on the west bank of the river, the ram Manassas being a short distance astern and heading for us, but unable to make much progress against the current. Before it reached us, we had fortunately gotten off, and witnessed, with great satisfaction, shortly after, its destruction by the United States steamer Mississippi. I have to report but two of the crew slightly wounded; four round shot through the hull of the vessel, and one through the mainmast. Officers and men performed their duty nobly, and with admirable coolness. In this feeble tribute to their worth and services I desire to include Third Assistant Engineer G. M. White, a volunteer from the United States steamer Colorado. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. N. SMITH, Lieutenant Commanding.

Flag-Officer D .F.FARRAGUT, Commanding Western Gulf Blockading Squadron.”

Concerning the relationship of Commander Smith to the Gunboat Winona, I have yet to find that connection. Winona was the sister ship to Wissahickon.  I have found, from Admiral Du Pont’s report, from Port Royal Harbor, SC on March 2, 1863, that he mentions being indebted to the extreme vigilance and spirit of Lieut. Commander J.L. Davis, of the Wissahickon.   When Davis took command oc the Wissahickon I don’t know.  Smith was, as of, June 1863, acting as bureau chief of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.

More research has to be done, but I’m passing that task on to the next owner of this historic watch.