Ships bell from the CSS Selma

[MichaelB]

I thought that this group might enjoy this short tale:

Being an amateur history buff on the history of Mobile and Baldwin County and the surrounding waters I am always on the lookout for those special "finds" as grandkids unload stuff at estate auctions, yard sales, etc. As such I browse EBAY to see if any local stuff shows up.

A couple of months ago an item came up on EBAY that was listed as the ships bell from the CSS Selma. The Selma was a gunboat that fought along side the Tennesse before being disabled by the the USS Metacomet. The Metacomet had army troops from the State of Mass asigned to it as was sometime the custom during the Civil War. The seller gave me all the info he had which indicated that it was brought back to the New England area as spoils of war.

Since the price was over $1000 it had far exceeded my $25 limit so I contacted the head of the museum in Mobile. I gave him all of the info and explained that if this was for real I would hate for the Mobile musuem to not have it.

The musuem got back with me and they bought the bell and it is the real deal. It will be displayed alongside the ships bell from the CSS Alabama that they currently have on display.

I guess it is true what they say......you can buy anything on ebay.

 

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[grizzly bare]

Seems like a 'one up' on the archies. Congratulations on helping to save a bit of history.

grizzly bare

 

[JakePhelps]

Great job finding that

 

[Nana40]

Very nice story!!!

Thanks for sharing it!!

Nana

 

[ceolacanth]

An absolute gentleman you are,
I myself once aware of its value would have happily paid the $1000 and just as happily sold it to the museum for ?

 

[Selma Hunter1]

MichaelB -

Thanks for your help on the bell from the Selma. Too many artifacts are "lost" when they should be "found". I'm gathering information and images about the City of Selma and her role in the war. Mobile and the forts there are inextricably connected to Selma since much of the war material used there was supplied by Selma. There is another place to contact also, if you should find similar CW Navy items - the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia. They have done all CW historians a great job of preserving and displaying numerous artifacts. If you have an interest in this subject you should make it a point to see the web site and to visit there if you're ever in the area. The Director there is a fellow named Bruce Smith and he is a super Docent.

If you run into anything that might have a Selma connection please give me a PM - I'm trying to get the material ready for the writing to begin soon.

Thanks again.

 

[Salvor6]

A businessman from N.Y. bought the bell from the CSS Alabama in France. When he tried to sell it, the U.S. Navy confiscsted the bell without paying the owner. How did this guy get away with selling the bell from the CSS Selma?

 

[AA23]

Thats an incredible story, the world could use more people like u who aren't just in it for the profit but for the preservation of our history

 

[MichaelB]

Selma Hunter, I will send you anything I come across. So far I have gathered reports from the Smithsonian, NUMA, FSU, U of South Carolina and the Corp of Engineers on the civil war wrecks and the artifacts removed so far. I am sure most were connected back to Selma so i will review those documents again. Only the Dean from the University of West Fl refused to share her data. She said my credentials were not good enough.

If you get the chance take the time to read West Wind, Flood Tide. It is probably the best account of the battle.

Thanks for the website. I will check it out.

Best Regards,

MichaelB

 

[birdman]

Great stuff,for me growing up on Fort Morgan RD that really is special! I grew up hearing of first hand accounts that had been passed down.Great stuff. Thanks!!

 

[Michigan Badger]

Nice story.

I've found some fabulous artifacts on ebay. Some I won the bids on and others I missed.

Out of the hundreds of items I've purchased, only two were fakes.

HH

 

[MichaelB]

Birdman, I have acquired a near perfect US Puppy Paw buckle that was found very close to where you and I discussed down Fort Morgan. This has got me fired up to check out the North side location as we discussed. I will keep you in the loop.

Thanks.

MichaelB

 

[birdman]

Michael thats great! Old Navy cove is the place for treasure! The hurricane of 1916 washed that whole place out. Any finds at all ,I would love to hear about. That whole place is a time capsule.My great ,great grand father donated the land for the Shell Banks Church and there was an old school across the street .Tons of history in that whole peninsula. Thanks and happy hunting!