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1st USS KEARSARGE STORM ENSIGN  Flown at Time of 1894 Wreck Formerly Property of Kearsarge Naval Veteran's Association    SIZE 48“ x 56“   [4 ft x 4 ft 8 in]                                                    Weight in box 5 lbs 13 1/2 oz Presented is the tattered Storm Ensign" that was flown by the first USS Kearsarge when she ran aground on Roncadoer Reef in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Nicaragua on February 2, 1894. The flag was donated in 1923 by Fred G. Hoffman, a member of the ship's crew and of the association. The design of the 44 stars and 13 stripes is imprinted on the bunting with colorfast dye, and the tabling along the hoist is of heavy duty duck with three rivets adding strength at its top and bottom. The flag's trailing edge is badly tattered with a loss of cloth and it is impossible to judge what its original length may have been. There are no markings on the flag or grommets. This flag pre-dates the standard sizes that were introduced in the early 1900's, and adopted by the U.S. Navy. At that time, each flag was denoted by a number, and keyed to specified dimensions with consistent sizes for each application. STAGGERED SIX ROWS OF STARS from the top down making 44 Stars total. This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1891. A star was added for the admission of Wyoming (July 10, 1890) and was to last for 5 years. 8 stars  7 stars 7 stars 7 stars 7 stars 8 stars METAL STORAGE BOX houses the flag. The reddish brown paint is not waterproof, but is dry to the touch. The box is 12"W x 10" D x 5"H and weighs about 4 pounds.                       Card providing the provenance of this flag   BRIEF HISTORY OF KEARSARGE: The first KEARSARGE was launched on 11 September 1861 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, NH; sponsored by Mrs. Henry McFarland, wife of the editor of the Concord Statesmen, and commissioned 24 January 1862 with Captain Charles W. Pickering in command. The Sloop of War KEARSARGE departed Portsmouth 5 February 1862 for the coast of Spain to join in the blockade of Confederate raiders. Captain John A. Winslow, took command of the KEARSARGE on April 8, 1863, while she remained in European waters searching for raiders. Arriving in Cherbourg, France on 14 June 1864, she found the Confederate Ship ALABAMA in port. On June 19, ALABAMA stood out of Cherbourg Harbor for her last action. Careful of French neutrality, KEARSARGE'S new commanding officer, Captain Winslow, took the sloop of war well clear of territorial waters, then turned to meet the Confederate cruiser. ALABAMA fired first but the battle quickly turned against her and within an hour the ALABAMA had been reduced to a sinking wreck and her Captain Raphael Semmes struck his colors and surrendered. KEARSARGE rescued the majority of the ALABAMA's survivors; but Captain Semmes and 41 others were picked up by a British yacht. Captain Winslow was promoted to Commodore and the New York Chamber of Commerce honored him, the KEARSARGE, and her crew, mainly men from New Hampshire, for their victory. The KEARSARGE returned to sea and the coast of Spain in April 1865 in search of Confederate ships. After cruising the Mediterranean and the English Channel south to Liberia, the KEARSARGE returned to the Boston Navy Yard in August 1866. In January 1868 KEARSARGE sailed to serve in the South Pacific and along the coast of South America to protect American interests for the next four years. She later performed similar duties in the Asiatic waters of Japan, China and the Philippines. During this time she carried Professor Hall's scientific party from Nagasaki, Japan, to Vladivostok, Russia, to observe the transit of Venus. The last assignment for the KEARSARGE was protecting American interests in the West Indies, off Venezuela and along the Central Americas. On February 2, 1894, on Roncador Reef off the coast of Nicaragua, the KEARSARGE was wrecked.                      44 Star Canton                        Closed steel storage case shown above case with top removed   Many collectors prefer military flags to show their age and history of use.   CONSTRUCTION: The tabling is unmarked as are the two grommets The flag is entirely on a single piece of cotton cloth. The stars are arranged in 2 rows of eight and 4 rows of seven making 44 stars in total. STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING & PACKING to 48 contiguous States, $40.00 OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges within the continental United States are  included in this offer if the error is due to our fault. International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Hebrides (Vanuatu), New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI, Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean STANDARD FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different. 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