In 1890, the USS Hartford , Admiral Farragut's flagship in the Battle of Mobile Bay (Damn the torpedoes....Full speed ahead) was sent to Mare Island Shipyard in Vallejo, CA to be dismantled and rebuilt. She was fitted out as a modern cruiser, covered with steel over her wooden sides and modern armament replaced the CW guns. The construction took place from 1894-1899. During the refiiting, this decorative bronze tompion star was saved by a worker as a souvenir. I obtained it from his great-grandson. Can I prove this provenance? No, but I'm not trying to sell it and I believe it. It's a pretty good story.
The USS Hartford served as a training ship until it 1912. She sank at her berth in Norfolk Navy Yard in 1956 and was considered beyond salvage. The remains were scrapped.
