Lead Ingot from Confederate Blockade Runner "MODERN GREECE"
ON LAYAWAY
In the early hours of June 27th, 1862 The "Modern Greece", a blockade runner, was attempting to deliver weapons, ammunition and other cargo from Britain to the Confederacy. During this attempt, the ship ran aground off Fort Fisher, NC while being fired upon by the US Navy. It eventually sank leaving its cargo resting in only a few feet of water. This lead ingot, stamped "BAGILLT WORKS / NEWTON KEATES & Co / LIVERPOOL", was part of that cargo. Ingots of this size were not only used as ballast to improve the stability of the ship but also for manufacturing bullets and other military accoutrements.
This ingot, with its white patina, is in very good condition. It measures approximately 33 x 6 x 2-1/2 inches and weighs approximately 155 pounds. The deeply impressed lettering on its top is in good shape with every letter visible. On the ingot's bottom, at one end, is a lightly stamped number "389" along with what are believed the letters "F", "D", and possibly the letter "P". The number is difficult to see but as you will see in the additional images it is definitely there. The letters aren't as clear but are believed to be there (see additional images). There is general wear and tear, but nothing major. There are no repairs.
It was acquired from the late Bill Epperson who operated a dive shop decades ago in Charlotte, NC. A signed and dated letter from Mr. Epperson regarding the recovery of the ingot will accompany it. In this letter he indicates that he, along with two other individuals, recovered the ingot off the coast of North Carolina in the mid-1960s.
In June of 1977 an inventory of the contents of the Modern Greece were compiled in "The Blockade Runner Modern Greece and Her Cargo" by Leslie S. Bright, complete with images, drawings, and descriptions. According to this publication,
"The cargoes of the blockade runners have long been known; but until 1962 when the Navy divers found the MODERN GREECE and began an operation which brought to shore most of the inventories in this publication, no vessel had been salvaged so extensively. This publication is an inventory of all the materials recovered from the MODERN GREECE. "
Included in the additional images are several pages from this document that include an inventory of the actual ingots recovered. Each ingot was numbered on its bottom side, along with various other markings on most. Interestingly and noticeably absent from the list is ingot number "389". This one was apparently missed by the Navy. Due to ongoing shifting sands from storms, it was likely uncovered enough for it to be discovered a couple of years later by Mr. Epperson.
Another "BAGILLT WORKS / NEWTON KEATES & Co / LIVERPOOL" ingot, also from the "Modern Greece", is pictured in the following relic reference book:
- "Round Ball to Rimfire, Part Four - A Contribution to the History of the Confederate Ordnance Bureau" by Dean S. Thomas, page 254.
See scan of above page in additional images.
The ingot offered in this listing may be recognizable to some Virginia Relic customers as it was the exact ingot pictured with "L" base Enfield bullets also recovered from the Modern Greece and previously made available on this site.
It will be an excellent relic to display by a fireplace in a den, family room, on a deck, or just a great addition to any excavated Civil War bullet, nautical, or general relic collection.
PLEASE NOTE: This item will not be shipped.
Due to the weight of this relic at about 150 pounds, shipping will not be available. It may be picked up or delivered, depending on your location. Prior to purchase, please contact me to discuss arrangements for either local pick up or possible delivery.
- Product Code:
- PC3772
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