RARE – Solid “US” marked Revere copper spike from the U.S.S. New Hampshire shipwreck

This is a rare piece being offered, it is a solid copper spike measuring 7 ¾” x ¾” and is marked with “US”. It is from the shipwreck “New Hampshire”.  It was built between 1816 and 1864 and was constructed from the finest live oak, with copper fastenings from the prestigious Revere Foundry. The colonial leader, Revolutionary War hero, silversmith and arms maker provided the spikes to build two great warships – The “Constitution” and the “USS New Hampshire”.

In 1816, Congress had authorized funding for nine 74-gun ships-of-the-line, and among them was the Granite State, originally christened the Alabama. The ship's commissioning in 1818 was a grand affair, graced by the presence of President James Monroe himself. For many years, the Alabama stood ready to serve, a silent guardian of the American coast.

As the Civil War loomed, the ship was rechristened the New Hampshire in 1864 and launched into service. It played a crucial role off Port Royal, South Carolina, serving as a hospital and supply ship. After the war in 1866, the New Hampshire began its tenure as a receiving ship in Norfolk, Virginia, and later returned to Port Royal in 1876. The vessel's journey continued as it was reassigned to Norfolk, then Newport, Rhode Island in 1881, where it proudly served as the flagship of the Apprentice Training Squadron.

In 1893, the ship found a new purpose as it was loaned to the New York State Naval Militia, serving as a training ship and armory. It was during this time that the ship was renamed the Granite State in 1904. Despite its age, the Granite State continued to serve diligently, even surviving a fire in 1918, which was heroically contained by flooding the magazine. However, the ship's luck ran out in 1921 when it was destroyed by a devastating fire at the dock.

But the story of the Granite State did not end there. Salvage operations recovered valuable oak timbers and copper fastenings, as well as an anchor and numerous cannon balls. In a daring underwater expedition in 1965, William Kolb braved the depths to recover artifacts from the wreck site, using the "Aqua Cabin" underwater habitat.

The Granite State's legacy lives on, not just in the artifacts recovered from its wreck, but in the memories of the countless sailors who served aboard her and the history she helped to shape. The ship's journey from the Alabama to the Granite State is a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of those who built, sailed, and cared for her.

The spike being offered here is one of those that was recovered in 1965. It is in very solid condition and comes in the wooden glass top display case pictured. It is a great piece of naval history spanning 150 years of service.