Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
The Wanderer is known officially as the last American slaver to bring slaves to the U. S. from Africa, doing so on November 28, 1858, but not before loosing nearly eighty of the unfortunate slaves out of 487. She was launched the year before at Long Island, New York as a pleasure craft, but the slave related event made her infamous. With the outbreak of the Civil War she was seized by the Federal government to prevent her from being used by the Confederate Navy. She served in the U. S. Navy throughout the war in various capacities and after the war was lost at sea in January 1871 while serving as a merchant ship. A rare war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. (total) 8vo., written on patriotic stationery, by Pvt. Everett W. Miner, Co. C, 7th New Hampshire Vols., "Tortugas, Florida, Fort Jefferson, May 28, 1862," in part: "…I presume you have heard of the 'Yacht Wanderer' she is said to be the fastest sailing vessel in [the] world…she was once a slaver…she is…here now. She chased a Rebel steamer into Havana & got so near that she put a ball through her. That is pretty stiff business a sailing vessel chasing a steamer…". With a 2pp. letter written by Everett's father Leonard to his wife and son at home. VG.
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