Navy “Marlinspike Seamanship” Medal, 1881

Navy “Marlinspike Seamanship” Medal. A hand-made silver medal (56x61mm), hand-engraved on scrollwork on the obverse “B. A. Patti/OS 1st Class/USS Portsmouth”; the reverse engraved “Presented by/Commanding Officer/of the/Training Squadron/for Excellence in/Marlinespike [sic] Seamanship/1881″. With an integral loop for suspension.

USS Portsmouth was launched in 1843 and served in the Mexican War. In 1848-1851, she served in anti-slave trade operations off Africa and in the Civil War was part of the Gulf Blockading Squadron. In 1881, she was serving as a training ship for naval apprentices until she was struck from the Navy rolls in 1915. “Marlinspike seamanship” refers to skill in knot tying, line splicing and sewing using a marlinspike, all-important skills in a ship under sail.