Presentation Sterling Presentation Bowl for the USS Thornback.
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Description
This is a presentation bowl made from Sterling Silver and given to woman who officially launched the USS Thornback, launched July 7th, 1944. As was custom a lady was given the honor of breaking a bottle of Champagne over the bow of the new vessel being launched. Rachel E. Fischler was accorded that honor.
The presentation reads, “U. S. Submarine Thornback Launched July 7, 1944, Sponsor Rachel E. Fischler, Presented By Employees Of Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.” The Thornback (SS-418), a Tench-Class Submarine. Her keel was laid down 5 April 1944. Her first skipper was Commander Ernest P. Abrahamson, and she was officially commissioned on 13 October, 1944. Thornback scored one kill on one of her early cruises, and would engage the enemy several more times with limited success. having been assigned to the Pacific Theatre of Operations and only a few months the war ended after Japan surrendered. The Thornback was decommissioned in 1946, recommissioned in 1953 and then finally decommissioned in 1971 and sold to Turkey in 1973.
The sterling silver bowl, possible a fruit bowl, is marked, “Ellmore.” It weighs 28.3 oz. The condition is very fine with only light scuffing and one ding on the rim. The bowl is 10 1/2 inches diameter, and 4 1/2 inches high. A great piece of history with some weight behind it.
