Slideshow
Gems From The Collection
From rings to hatpins, pendants to christening watches, jewelry complements what is known of maritime history, giving a personal touch to dry facts and names. Both personal and commemorative artifacts shed light on individual lives of people long-gone and provide an unique entry point into history.
Mr. Thatcher Pinkham, the highly respected General Manager of the South Portland Shipbuilding Co., and Mrs. Ethel Pinkham stand for a different sort of christening. Mrs. Ethel Pinkham served as sponsor at the July 13th, 1942 launching of the Liberty Ship Thomas Hooker .
As we do today, jewelry was often given or received to mark major events in life. Above is a gold-plated christening pin given to an infant child of Capt. and Mrs. E.L. Carter of Woolwich, Maine, ca. 1870.
71.280.13.02, gift of Mrs. Esther Groves
Mrs. Ethel Pinkham christens the U.S.S. Thomas Hooker , an occasion for which commemorative gifts were often presented.
As a token of appreciation, this sterling silver compact was presented to Mrs. Ethel Pinkham as sponsor at the launching of the Liberty ship Thomas Hooker on July 13th, 1942.
89.74.02, gift of Thatcher B. Pinkham, Jr.
At an earlier launching, this gold lady's wristwatch was presented to Mary Howe when she christened the U.S. submarine S-13 in 1921 at the Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.
2000.56.44, Burden Collection
At this first launching after the beginning of Prohibition, the local newspaper headlined the event, "Grape Juice used to Launch Sub."
2000.56.44, Burden Collection
Delicate script engraving on the back reads:
"U.S. Submarine S-13
Launched October 20, 1921
Navy Yard Portsmouth N.H.
Sponsor Mary Howe."
2000.56.44, Burden Collection
Jewelry made from or incorporating human hair was a way to remember a loved one who was away. This hair bracelet, ca. 1850, belonged to Olive Titcomb Pote, who kept a picture of her husband, Captain Samuel Pote of Portland, Maine, in the gold locket.
2001.84.02, gift of Helen K. Titcomb
The gold locket opens to reveal a tintype of Captain Samuel Pote of Portland, Maine, Olive's husband.
2001.84.02, gift of Helen K. Titcomb
A close-up shot of a tintype of Capt. Samuel Pote, married to Olive Titcomb.
2001.84.02, gift of Helen K. Titcomb
In order to see such detailed work or to simply look fashionable, sometimes help was needed. This silver lorgnette was owned by the wife to Captain E.L. Carter, who was the well-known master of several important square-rigged ships from this area through much of the latter half of the 19th century.
71.280.14.02, gift of Mrs. Esther Groves
Taken aboard the Houghton yacht Juno c. 1890, the above photo illustrates the fashions of the day, in particular the elaborate and ornate hats worn by the women. If not for long hatpins, the female members would likely soon be chapeau-less when a stiff breeze came up.
As seen in the previous photo, hatpins were necessary to secure fashionable hats. This hatpin was worn by Mrs. Amory Houghton I on outings ca. 1890-1910. Mrs. Houghton was the wife of one of the Houghton brothers, who were partners in the Bath shipbuilding firm by that name.
99.68.08, gift of Amory M. Houghton III
A close-up shot of the hatpin's handle, thought to be Japanese in origin.
99.68.02, gift of Amory M. Houghton III
Brooches and pins were popular forms of jewelry in the 19th century. Mary Dennett, wife of Bath sail-maker Charles C. Dennett owned this ca. 1900 mother-of-pearl brooch with glass brilliant border.
Walrus ivory pin which belonged to Elizabeth Wells, wife of Captain George Wells of Hallowell. Capt. Wells was master of vessels from the Kennebec in the 1850's. Elizabeth died in Bombay while accompanying her husband on one of his passages.
78.85.136, gift of Mrs. L.M.C. Smith.
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Brass brooch ca. 1910 with green glass "stone" owned by the wife of John E. Clark of Bath. Mr. Clark was a member of a gang of caulkers who traveld from shipyard to shipyard to caulk vessels when they were ready.
78.83.252, Burden Collection
With the zipper yet to be invented, buttons were an essential part of a wardrobe. These ornamental nickel, silver, and brass waistcoat buttons, ca. 1860, belonged to Captain Alvin Robinson of Swan Island, Maine.
65.417, gift of Lorena Prothero
Brass pendant with compass, perhaps worn on a chatelaine chain, belonging to a member of the E.L. Carter family. Captain Carter commanded several local ships between 1862 and 1891.
71.280.05.01, gift of Mrs. Esther Groves
Cuff links were another essential part of a man's wardrobe. These stone cameo cuff links belonged to Captain Broadstreet Rairden of Bath. Capt. Rairden was master of the Evie Reed from the time he was 23 in the 1870s until 1884. He later became American consul in Batavia, Java, having been appointed in 1892 by President Harrison.
85.02, gift of Blair C. Watson, Jr.
Nor was jewelry reserved solely for women. Above is a gold ring with agate cameo worn by Captain William Willey when he drowned in the wreck of the Alfred D. Snow in 1888.
2001.59.03, gift of Ann Higgins
The cameo depicts a bust of Diogenes, while the ring shows evidence of being cut off his body.
2001.59.03, gift of Ann Higgins
Silver cased pocket watch belonging to Captain Sam Percy, principal in the Percy and Small shipyard.
73.129.53, gift of Eleanor Irish Percy
This pocket watch has (4) sub-dials denoting seconds, month, date, and day of the week. Notice the gold leaf inlay of the porcelain face.
73.129.53, gift of Eleanor Irish Percy
Counterfeit Breguet watch belonging to Mark Langdon Hill, shipbuilder and ship owner in Phippsburg, Maine, ca. 1790s. Key wound, the watch's case is decorated in seed pearls with rose, yellow, and green gold filigree.
74.06, gift of Norman E. Haskell
Just like a Rolex today, the Breguet watch was, and still is, a highly prized time-piece. And just a counterfeit Chanel handbag today, people in the 19th century faked designer goods. It is unknown if Hill was aware that his was not genuine.
74.06, gift of Norman E. Haskell
Today - September 10, 2010
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12:00am:
Upcoming Events
Please excuse our appearances as we update our Calendar. For a listing of upcoming events or to register, please click...
9:30am – 5:00pm:
Heavy Metal: Marine Propulsion - the Revolution Evolution