HISTORIC PRESENTATION SILK REAR ADMIRAL’S FLAG, CHRISTENING SASH FROM THE USS CONNECTICUT -1904 AND PERSONAL FLAG OF REAR ADMIRAL FREDERICK RODGERS.

HISTORIC PRESENTATION SILK REAR ADMIRAL’S FLAG, CHRISTENING SASH FROM THE USS CONNECTICUT -1904 AND PERSONAL FLAG OF REAR ADMIRAL FREDERICK RODGERS. This historic U.S. Navy group of important flags consists of a blue silk sash worn for the launching of the U.S.S. Connecticut on September 29, 1904 from the New York Navy Yard. Accompanying it is a presentation silk Rear Admiral’s flag embroidered and presented to Rear Admiral Frederick Rodgers immediately after taking command of the Connecticut, the Admiral’s personal silk flag and a U.S. Navy-New York Navy Yard Regulation-made Rear Admiral’s Flag.

Frederick Rodgers was born into a prominent Maryland family with a distinguished naval history, bing the grandson of the famous Admiral Perry. Rear Admiral Rodgers had a very distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. He became Midshipman on September 27, 1857 at the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in May, 1861 and was immediately assigned to a warship and served through the entire Civil War on a number of ships in several battles and support bombardment. During his service in the Civil War he rose to Acting Master and Lieutenant. Rodgers was a respected and accomplished Naval officer capturing a number of Confederate Navy ships and blockade-runners. Immediately following the war he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, then to Commander by 1875. His first sole major command came with his promotion to Captain on February 28, 1890. He reached flag rank as Commodore on Christmas Day 1898 then Rear Admiral March 3, 1899. In Jan, 1902, Admiral Rodgers was assigned the command of the Asiatic Station where he served until October 1902. At that time he returned to the U.S. with over 46 years of service

The sash is of dark blue silk measuring 5”wide and 8’5” long with swallowtail ends. The silk is embellished with gilt paint having the presentation U.S.S. Connecticut” on one side near the end and Sept. 29th, 1904 on the other end. This is the sash most likely worn by Miss Welles, who is mentioned in the accompanying copy of a newspaper article, to christen the new battleship. A photocopy of a newspaper article describing the launching of the U.S. Connecticut from the New York Navy Yard in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle dated September 29, 1904 accompanies the group.

The battleship USS Connecticut (BB18), was built at the New York Navy yard and laid down 10th March 1903, launched 29th September 1904. The ship was completed by September 1906. Specifications for the ship were: Displacement: 16,000 tons, and 17,666 tons full load. Speed: 18 knots. Crew initially 827, rising to 881 to 895. Armament: Four 12 inch guns (2 x 2 ), Eight 8 inch guns, twelve 7 inch guns, twenty 3 inch guns, Twelve 3-pounders, Four 1-pounders, plus Four 21 inch Torpedo Tubes. The ship landed companies of Marines at Vera Cruz in 1914 and was scrapped in 1923.

The beautiful presentation Rear Admiral’s Flag measures 10’ X 15’ and is made of bright blue silk with two applied white 5-pointed silk stars, measuring 20” tip to tip and arranged one on top of the other according to regulation. The haft end of the flag has a 2” wide white silk border, the fly is reinforced. Embroidered across the white silk band, in gold silk is the script presentation: Presented to Rear Admiral F. Rodgers by the Enlisted Men of the U.S. Navy, Oct. 3rd, 1904. The enlisted men aboard a newly commissioned ship under the admiral’s command traditionally presented the admiral’s flag. Its worsted silk dark blue tassels accompany the flag.

The Admiral’s personal flag is also of dark blue silk measuring approximately 5’ x 4’ with two white embroidered silk 5-point stars measuring 9” from tip to tip. The haft end is secured by a white silk border 1 ¾” wide with six hand sewn grommets. A newspaper article depicting Adm. Rodgers being rowed to shore by his contemporaries, which was a great honor, with the small Admiral’s flag mounted to the bow, accompanies. Finally, the group is completed having a U.S. Navy regulation Rear Admiral’s flag made at the Navy Yard New York. Measuring 7 ½’ X 9 ½’ it is made of dark blue wool bunting with two white cotton 5-point stars measuring 16 ½” from tip to tip. The heavy flag is bordered with thick canvass duck having a haft rope inserted. The canvas border is stenciled Rear Admiral No. 2-Navy Yard New York-April 1900-C5300. CONDITION: Rear Admiral’s presentation flag is in superb condition retaining its bright blue color. Very few flaws are apparent and age discoloration is very minor. Inscription on the haft reinforcement is well preserved. Christening sash is also in very good condition with some loses to the painted inscription and the ends are somewhat tattered. Worsted cord and tassels are quite frayed. Admiral’s personal is also quite nice with little or no sign of wear. Finally the New York Navy Yard regulation flag exhibits use and wear-the fly is frayed in spots but has been repaired and reinforced. Other areas have minor holes, tears and the stars are discolored from age. 4-54334, 4-54335, 4-54336 3,000-5,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3489A.	$805.00	HISTORIC PRESENTATION SILK REAR ADMIRAL’S FLAG, CHRISTENING SASH FROM THE USS CONNECTICUT -1904 AND PERSONAL FLAG OF REAR ADMIRAL FREDERICK RODGERS. This historic U.S. Navy group of important flags consists of a blue silk sash worn for the launching of the U.S.S. Connecticut on September 29, 1904 from the New York Navy Yard. Accompanying it is a presentation silk Rear Admiral’s flag embroidered and presented to Rear Admiral Frederick Rodgers immediately after taking command of the Connecticut, the Admiral’s personal silk flag and a U.S. Navy-New York Navy Yard Regulation-made Rear Admiral’s Flag. Frederick Rodgers was born into a prominent Maryland family with a distinguished naval history, bing the grandson of the famous Admiral Perry. Rear Admiral Rodgers had a very distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. He became Midshipman on September 27, 1857 at the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in May, 1861 and was immediately assigned to a warship and served through the entire Civil War on a number of ships in several battles and support bombardment. During his service in the Civil War he rose to Acting Master and Lieutenant. Rodgers was a respected and accomplished Naval officer capturing a number of Confederate Navy ships and blockade-runners. Immediately following the war he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, then to Commander by 1875. His first sole major command came with his promotion to Captain on February 28, 1890. He reached flag rank as Commodore on Christmas Day 1898 then Rear Admiral March 3, 1899. In Jan, 1902, Admiral Rodgers was assigned the command of the Asiatic Station where he served until October 1902. At that time he returned to the U.S. with over 46 years of service The sash is of dark blue silk measuring 5”wide and 8’5” long with swallowtail ends. The silk is embellished with gilt paint having the presentation U.S.S. Connecticut” on one side near the end and Sept. 29th, 1904 on the other end. This is the sash most likely worn by Miss Welles, who is mentioned in the accompanying copy of a newspaper article, to christen the new battleship. A photocopy of a newspaper article describing the launching of the U.S. Connecticut from the New York Navy Yard in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle dated September 29, 1904 accompanies the group. The battleship USS Connecticut (BB18), was built at the New York Navy yard and laid down 10th March 1903, launched 29th September 1904. The ship was completed by September 1906. Specifications for the ship were: Displacement: 16,000 tons, and 17,666 tons full load. Speed: 18 knots. Crew initially 827, rising to 881 to 895. Armament: Four 12 inch guns (2 x 2 ), Eight 8 inch guns, twelve 7 inch guns, twenty 3 inch guns, Twelve 3-pounders, Four 1-pounders, plus Four 21 inch Torpedo Tubes. The ship landed companies of Marines at Vera Cruz in 1914 and was scrapped in 1923. The beautiful presentation Rear Admiral’s Flag measures 10’ X 15’ and is made of bright blue silk with two applied white 5-pointed silk stars, measuring 20” tip to tip and arranged one on top of the other according to regulation. The haft end of the flag has a 2” wide white silk border, the fly is reinforced. Embroidered across the white silk band, in gold silk is the script presentation: Presented to Rear Admiral F. Rodgers by the Enlisted Men of the U.S. Navy, Oct. 3rd, 1904. The enlisted men aboard a newly commissioned ship under the admiral’s command traditionally presented the admiral’s flag. Its worsted silk dark blue tassels accompany the flag. The Admiral’s personal flag is also of dark blue silk measuring approximately 5’ x 4’ with two white embroidered silk 5-point stars measuring 9” from tip to tip. The haft end is secured by a white silk border 1 ¾” wide with six hand sewn grommets. A newspaper article depicting Adm. Rodgers being rowed to shore by his contemporaries, which was a great honor, with the small Admiral’s flag mounted to the bow, accompanies. Finally, the group is completed having a U.S. Navy regulation Rear Admiral’s flag made at the Navy Yard New York. Measuring 7 ½’ X 9 ½’ it is made of dark blue wool bunting with two white cotton 5-point stars measuring 16 ½” from tip to tip. The heavy flag is bordered with thick canvass duck having a haft rope inserted. The canvas border is stenciled Rear Admiral No. 2-Navy Yard New York-April 1900-C5300. CONDITION: Rear Admiral’s presentation flag is in superb condition retaining its bright blue color. Very few flaws are apparent and age discoloration is very minor. Inscription on the haft reinforcement is well preserved. Christening sash is also in very good condition with some loses to the painted inscription and the ends are somewhat tattered. Worsted cord and tassels are quite frayed. Admiral’s personal is also quite nice with little or no sign of wear. Finally the New York Navy Yard regulation flag exhibits use and wear-the fly is frayed in spots but has been repaired and reinforced. Other areas have minor holes, tears and the stars are discolored from age. 4-54334, 4-54335, 4-54336 3,000-5,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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