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One of the most historically significant vessels in the Ellsworth Steam & Maritime Collection, this rare 1906 United States Navy steam cutter served as Captain’s Cutter No. 873 (NJ-1) assigned to the battleship USS New Jersey (BB-16). Steam cutters such as this played an essential role aboard early twentieth-century naval vessels, transporting officers, dispatches, and dignitaries between ship and shore during a formative period of American naval expansion. Built to naval standards of the period, the vessel embodies the elegant yet purposeful design typical of U.S. Navy launches of the era. The hull features graceful naval lines and a classic fantail stern, constructed using traditional methods with carvel cedar planking over oak frames fastened with copper rivets—materials and techniques chosen for their strength, durability, and longevity in marine service. Measuring approximately 40 feet in length with a beam of about nine feet, the launch provides a stable and efficient platform for steam propulsion. Power is delivered through a compound steam engine built to U.S. Navy design, operating with Stephenson valve gear and driving a four-blade bronze propeller through a monel shaft. The steam plant includes a modern Lund Machine Works boiler, capable of operating on coal or wood fuel. Adding to the vessel’s naval character is the ornament chest required for keeping the cutter’s flagstaff and jackstaff, complete with 24-karat gold-plated ornamental fittings used for ceremonial presentation when the vessel was dressed with naval colors. Such details reflect the formal role of the captain’s launch during official duties and shore transfers. Carefully restored and maintained, the cutter presents beautifully with polished brass fittings, traditional brightwork, and the unmistakable profile of a classic naval steam launch. Few naval steam cutters from this era survive today, making documented examples particularly rare. Within the Ellsworth Collection—an extraordinary assemblage celebrating the steam age of maritime history—this vessel stands as a centerpiece artifact. Combining naval provenance, mechanical craftsmanship, and timeless maritime elegance, it offers collectors, maritime museums, and steam enthusiasts a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of early twentieth-century United States naval heritage. Provenance & Restoration Story – Alex Ellsworth The remarkable survival of this historic naval launch is closely tied to the efforts of Alex Ellsworth, whose passion for maritime history led to the discovery and restoration of the vessel. The Steam Launch: USS New Jersey Steam Cutter No. 873 (NJ-1) was discovered in Maine in June of 2009, when Ellsworth acquired the vessel with the intention of preserving and restoring it. At the time of purchase, little was known about the launch’s specific naval history. While it was recognized as a United States Navy steam cutter, Ellsworth and his team initially believed it to be one of the many utility launches built by the Navy during the early twentieth century. After acquisition, the vessel was placed on a specially constructed trailer and transported to Belle Chasse, Louisiana, where the long process of restoration began. As research progressed, it became clear that the cutter was not simply a standard naval launch but a particularly rare example of the 40-foot battleship steam cutters assigned to capital ships of the U.S. Navy. Built in 1906 by the United States Navy in Maine, the launch was constructed using traditional naval boatbuilding methods with cedar planking over oak saw-cut frames fastened with copper rivets. From 1907 through 1919, the vessel served aboard the battleship USS New Jersey (BB-16) as the ship’s Captain’s Cutter, responsible for transporting officers, dignitaries, and personnel between ship and shore. Historical research revealed that while the Navy constructed hundreds of steam cutters during this period, only approximately twenty of the

#9550 • 1906 U.S. NAVY STEAM CUTTER – 40' USS NEW JERSEY CAPTAIN’S LAUNCH #873 NJ-1

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Lot #9550

Item #
22935350
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Conditioner Type
Steel

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