Ditty box from sloop HERO

ditty box

SAILORS GEAR
USA, CT, Stonington; ANTARCTICA
1820
wood; textile; metal
Overall: 3 1/8 x 7 1/8 x 3 3/8 in.

Carved wooden ditty box from sloop HERO, 1820. Inscribed "L. B. Stonington 1820 Slp. HERO". Hinged lid; carved, pierced designs on lid and all sides; lid and box sides lines with red wool, bottom lines with wide wale beige fabric. Only known relic of the famous 1820 Antarctic voyage of Mystic-built sloop HERO (Capt. Nathaniel B. Palmer), except for original log, now in Nat'l Archives in Washington. 1814 HERO gained distinction for her exploits as privateer in War of 1812. Recaptured sloop FOX, also Mystic-built.

1950.173