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Walter C. Leavitt , (1878–1955)

Hannah

1932
17 in. x 21 1/2 in. (43.18 cm x 54.61 cm)

Medium and Support: Ship model

Credit Line: Museum purchase

Accession Number: 1932.S1

Current Location: On view : GC2

Commentary

Hannah
The First Ship of the United States Navy

Built about 1770
Length 52 ft.; Beam 15 ft.; Tonnage 70 tons

The Hannah is typical of the fishing vessels which went from Marblehead or Gloucester to the Grand Banks between 1750 and 1850. When Washington was besieging the British forces in Boston in 1775, he wished to prevent supplies from reaching them by sea. He commissioned Col. John Glover of Marblehead to acquire several vessels, arm them, man them with men from his army, and send them out to blockade the port of Boston. The first vessel Glover fitted out was his brother’s schooner Hannah, and she was followed by several others. This little fleet of armed fishing vessels manned by soldiers from Washington’s army was the beginning of the United States Navy.

Adapted from Robert E. Peabody, "Hannah" catalogue entry in ed. John Ratté, Models of American Sailing Ships, rev. ed. (Andover, MA: Addison Gallery of American Art, 1994), 28

Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

1/4" scale: Models of American Sailing Ships Addison Gallery of American Art , 9/25/1994 - 1/12/1995

Portfolio List Click a portfolio name to view all the objects in that portfolio

This object is a member of the following portfolios:

Exhibitions: Ship Models

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