Revolutionary War Cannonball recovered many years ago at Penobscot, Maine, worst American Naval disaster until Pearl Harbor (SOLD)

This is another nice early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War/Revolutionary War artillery. Being offered is a Revolution War 2-pounder cannonball. It measures 2.25” and weighs 1 pound, 6 ounces. It would have been fired from a 2-pounder cannon, used by both sides during the war. This unique piece, the only one in the collection from Penobscot, was recovered in the early 20th century in Penobscot, Maine.

Maine's coastline with its many inlets for ports and harbors offered many advantages to early European settlers – and equal challenges when hostilities erupted (see map). During the Revolutionary War, it was often unclear who, if anyone, would protect Maine from the British Navy.

British Captain Henry Mowat burned Portland in 1775 and residents of Machias took it upon themselves the same year to stop British commerce between Boston and the down east coast when they captured the British ship Margaretta in the first naval battle of the American Revolution.

With much of the American Revolution activity taking place to the south, the British decided to build a fort and a loyalist colony along the Downeast coast at the mouth of the Penobscot and Bagaduce rivers.

Massachusetts attempted to ward off the British action, relying primarily on privateers paid to defend the American settlers and interests in the area. Also included was a 100-man artillery detachment under the command of Lt. Colonel Paul Revere. The ill-fated Penobscot Expedition ended in what has been called the worst American naval disaster until Pearl Harbor. The British victory led to a loyalist colony at Penobscot Bay and raids on coastal towns that the Patriots were unable to stop.

The ball remains in very nice condition, having some overall roughness, but no chipping or flaking. This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, closed museums, and from lake divers. The collector meticulously displayed and cataloged every piece along with its provenance. His markings were crude at the time, but now they have proved to be very important. Many of the pieces went through electrolysis to remove crusted rust.

This is the first time this cannonball has been on the open market, and it is truly a great piece of early American History. It definitely merits a place in an advanced collection or museum. As with all the pieces in this esteemed collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included.