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USS
GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE CUSTIS (1861)
The
ship that hosted a technological leap in reconnaissance
This model can be viewed at the
Anderson Abruzzo International
Balloon Museum
The
USS
George Washington Parke Custis was purchased by
the Union Navy in August 1861 and fitted out with a
gas-generating apparatus developed by Thaddeus Sobieski
Constantine Lowe and modified by John A. Dahlgren at the
Washington Navy Yard for her service as a balloon ship.
On November 11, 1861, Mr. Lowe, accompanied by General
Daniel E. Sickles and others, ascended in his trial
balloon from the ship off Mattawomen Creek to observe
Confederate forces on the Virginia shore three
miles away.
Lowe reported:
"We had a fine view of the enemy camp fires during the
evening and saw the rebels constructing batteries at
Freestone Point."
This very first balloon launch was a technological
leap in reconnaissance. It began the widespread
use of balloons during the Civil
War and foreshadowed the Navy's future use of the air to
extend its effective use of sea power.
George
Washington Parke Custis, born in 1781 at Mount Airy,
Md., was the son of John P. Custis, George Washington's
stepson, and the father-in-law of General Robert E. Lee.
Custis won fame as a writer and producer of plays. His
best known work was Pocahontas, or the Settlers of
Virginia. He died at Arlington in 1857.
This
primarily wood model of the
USS George Washington Parke Custis is 26" long. It is mounted on a large base which is for an
acrylic/glass top. $2,790.
Shipping and insurance
in the contiguous US included. Other places: $300
flat rate. We can make the base smaller per your
request.
Model is built per commission only. We require only
a small deposit to start the process $900  The
remaining balance won't be due until the model is
completed, in about 4 months.
Other ship, different size? Just let us know by clicking
on this link: Commissioning. The
process will be easy and stress free.
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