Lot
1004 
(Naval) U.S.S. Housatonic, letter addressed "Acting Master, Jos. W. Congdon, U.S.S. Housatonic, Off Charleston, S.C." and endorsed "Via New York", franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by "New York, Feb 16, 1864" cds and large grid; missing backflap, still Very Fine, a letter addressed to and posted the day before the sinking of the U.S.S. Housatonic, accompanied by biographies and the Congdon's testament at the Naval inquiry. Estimate $500 - 750.
On February 17, 1864, the Confederate submarine "Hunley" sank a blockader, the USS "Housatonic" off Charleston S.C., marking the first wartime sinking of a ship by a submarine. The addressee was one of 21 officers and 129 men rescued by the "Canandaigua" following the sinking of the "Housatonic". The February 16th use was posted one day before the USS Housatonic sunk. The Congdon correspondence is known however virtually all the covers are addressed from the Housatonic to Congdon's wife in Long Island.
Realized: $425