A RARE and HISTORIC Telescope Presented by the British Government To Cape Cod Sea Captain Elkanah Crowell on Oct. 29, 1865

The inscription on the scope reads as follows: "Presented by the British Government to Captain Elkanah Crowell, Jr., of the Barque C E Rosenberg of Barnstable, Massachusetts, in acknowledgement of his humanity and kindness to the Master and Crew of the brigantine 'Brisk' of Halifax, Nova Scotia, whom he rescued from their sinking vessel on the 29th October 1865." HISTORICAL NOTE: Elkanah Crowell, Jr., was born in West Yarmouth, Mass., on Cape Cod, on Feb. 2, 1829. He died in Hyannis on Jan. 2, 1917. During his long life at sea he commanded many ships and sailed to places like Australia, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Calcutta, the Philippines and Japan. He retired as a sea Captain in 1885. The barque Charles E. Rosenberg was built in Ohio in 1864 and sailed the world until sometime around 1877 when records of her cease to exist. The brigantine 'Brisk' was built in Nova Scotia in 1857. While returning from the West Indies with a cargo of sugar, the ship was dismasted during a violent storm off the coast of North Carolina. The ship sank but not before the Master and crew were rescued by Capt. Crowell. CONDITION: This is perhaps the finest example known for one of the many telescopes presented by the British Government to Captain's of American ships rescuing passengers and crews of British ships during the period 1862 to 1866. This practice of presenting telescopes only lasted for a few years and was discontinued around 1866. The single draw leather wrapped scope has nickel silver mounts and is in virtually unused 'mint' condition. The fitted dovetailed mahogany case is also in virtual mint condition with no splits or warping and retaining its' original rich color and patina. Length of the case: 27 3/4". A rare opportunity to own one of the finest examples of Cape Cod seafaring history to come on the market in many years.