Genuine U.S. Navy life preserver from the USS Olympia, a protected cruiser in service from 1895 to 1922. A legendary vessel, the Olympia served as Commodore George Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War. In 1919 she was among the Allied ships sent to intervene in the Russian Civil War, and in 1921 she carried the body of World War I's Unknown Soldier across the Atlantic to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Now a National Historic Landmark and an exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, PA, the Olympia remains the oldest American steel warship still afloat. Dimensions: (Not including ropes) Dia. 21.5" x D 4.5" Condition: Wear consistent with age and use; some separation to canvas, wear to painted letters, etc.

All the items in this sale are located at our Norwalk, CT Gallery for Appointment only preview and pickup. Call to schedule a preview 9am-5pm weekdays at the Norwalk gallery. Pickups for this sale will be Monday April 12th through Friday April 16th 9am-5pm weekdays only. We are not open at the Norwalk Gallery on the weekends for pickup. The Absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be requested via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Westport Auction shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.