Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
USS Niagara Relics
Artifact IDMO 1942.348.60
Object Type
Relic, Historic
Maker
Unknown
Dateca. 1941
Mediumrelics: wood (oak), metal
stand and box: wood, metal, paint, cord, paper
stand and box: wood, metal, paint, cord, paper
Dimensionsobject (mounted fragment and spike) H 7 3/4 in x W 19 3/4 in x D 6 7/8 in (19.7 cm x 50.2 cm x 17.5 cm )
box/case H 9 1/4 in x W 22 in x D 8 3/8 in (23.5 cm x 55.9 cm x 21.3 cm )
box/case H 9 1/4 in x W 22 in x D 8 3/8 in (23.5 cm x 55.9 cm x 21.3 cm )
Physical DescriptionRelics from the brig, USS NIAGARA.
a) A piece of wood and a metal spike from the USS NIAGARA. Both pieces are mounted to a lacquered wood base with silver-painted metal ball feet. Attached to one side of the base is a metal frame holding a paper label with typed text that reads: Relic from U.S.S. NIAGARA - War of 1812 / BATTLE of LAKE ERIE / Presented to PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT / by James R. Bennett, Point Pleasant, N. J. / Presentation by Hon. William H. Sutphin / Congressman from New Jersey.
b) A custom box to hold the USS NIAGARA relics. The black wooden box has a hinged lid, metal handles on the sides and on the top, and a padlock hasp. Mounted to the white-painted interior of the lid are copper-colored metal letters reading: U.S.S. NIAGARA. Two strings are attached to the interior of the box to allow the relic base to be tied down.
Historical NoteThe NIAGARA played a pivotal role at the September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. When the flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the American commander, was reduced to wreckage, Perry transferred by rowboat to the NIAGARA to continue the battle.a) A piece of wood and a metal spike from the USS NIAGARA. Both pieces are mounted to a lacquered wood base with silver-painted metal ball feet. Attached to one side of the base is a metal frame holding a paper label with typed text that reads: Relic from U.S.S. NIAGARA - War of 1812 / BATTLE of LAKE ERIE / Presented to PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT / by James R. Bennett, Point Pleasant, N. J. / Presentation by Hon. William H. Sutphin / Congressman from New Jersey.
b) A custom box to hold the USS NIAGARA relics. The black wooden box has a hinged lid, metal handles on the sides and on the top, and a padlock hasp. Mounted to the white-painted interior of the lid are copper-colored metal letters reading: U.S.S. NIAGARA. Two strings are attached to the interior of the box to allow the relic base to be tied down.
These relics of the USS NIAGARA were sent to Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 4, 1941 by James R. Bennett of Point Pleasant, New Jersey through Congressman William H. Sutphin.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesUnited States Navy Materials (National Archives Identifier 782673)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view