A Very Fine, Shinto, Tokugawa Tachi, Presented In Yokahama. Japan in 1896, to Admiral Wildes, Capt. of USS Boston, Of Admiral Dewey's Spanish War Fleet, And, Veteran of The Civil War Battle of Mobile Under Admiral Farragut. Available In The New Year

Admiral Frank Wildes, hero of the Spanish War, was firmly rooted within the entire maritime and military history and beginnings of American nationhood. His great grandfather was a Brigadier General in the Revolutionary War, Solomon Lovell of Weymouth, having commanded the defenses of Boston during the Revolution, and his grandfather, Capt. William Wildes, having been a Lieutenant of the old frigate Boston. His maternal grandfather. Ithamar Rice, participated in fight at Lexington. And, as a young ensign, { a graduate of the US Naval Academy in 1863} Admiral Wildes fought under Admiral Farragut at Mobile in the Civil War.
His presentation tachi is spending the entire Christmas period receiving no expense spared museum standard intensive conservation, cleaning and preservation attention by our artisans. Who, at their own choice {despite protest from us} are having no holiday break in order to finish the task before the New Year {hopefully}. As all our regulars know almost every sword we display in our gallery is similarly respected with museum grade conservation undertaken as and when required. With our primary concern to ‘museum standard conservation’ thus, to be as original as possible, with all natural patination and aging remaining, if at all possible, not simply cosmetic restoration.

The samurai tachi bears traditional tachi koshirae throughout, of the Tokugawa shogun’s kamon, with nashiji urushi lacquer on the saya decorated with numerous mon, and the menuki are similarly of Tokugawa mon. The Shinto blade is o-Wazamono {supremely sharp} See temporary photo 4 in the gallery, which NOT this sword, but a most similar Tokugawa example, that we had a decade or so ago, to give an idea of how it will look once returned to us. Photo1 is an old family photo of the admiral. Photo 2 is of the admiral’s sword, flag and uniform {from the auction sale} and photo 3 of his old ship, USS Boston.

Acquired from his descendant family, living in the UK. Famously, in America the US Navy hero's dress uniform and gold sword was auctioned by Skinnersinc, after his gilt, presentation American admiral's sword, was discovered after being locked in a mysterious family trunk for decades. It made American national news across the States, at the time the trunk was opened, to reveal its magnificent historical treasure and it was sold for $31,200.

Admiral, formerly Captain, Frank Wildes commanded the Protected Cruiser USS Boston (Cruiser No. 1) during the Spanish-American War, leading its crew of 19 officers and 259 men in action, a significant historical ship with a notable captain known for his leadership on this vessel.
Key Details about Captain Wildes & USS Boston:
Ship: USS Boston (Cruiser No. 1) was a protected cruiser, a type of warship. Captain Wildes commanded her during the Spanish-American War. He led a substantial crew of 19 officers and 259 enlisted men.

When USS Boston left Hong Kong for the war in Manila the British naval officers in Hong-Kong knew the difference between us and the Spanish in this particular, and when we were leaving port for Manila the captain of the HMS Immortality shouted to Captain Wildes: “You will surely win. I have seen too much of your target practice to doubt it.” The British in China were confident of our victory when we sailed, but I believe that the Russian, German, and French naval officers thought Spain would conquer.

From Gunner Joel C. Evans account after the victorious battle, 'When I returned to Hong-Kong on the SS McCulloch, leaving Manila on May 5. We made the trip in forty-six and a half hours. Our reception in the harbor was generous. We were surrounded by launches, while representatives of governments and of newspapers all over the world implored speedy information. That night ashore was to be remembered. ‘The Americans made a jollification of it that outdid any celebration in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. The British residents joined in it, and in spirit the men of the two nations were one in rejoicing over the victory of the Anglo-Saxon."

USS BOSTON was assigned to the United States Asiatic Squadron under Commodore Dewey. She took part in the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, and the capture of the city of Manila on August 13th. The cruiser remained in the Philippines, assisting in their pacification, until June 1899. BOSTON returned to San Francisco in August, 1899 and went out of commission, rejoining the Pacific Squadron in 1902. In June, 1905 she helped represent the Navy at the Lewis and Clark Exposition at Portland, Oregon, and between April 23 and May 10, 1906 she helped care for the victims of the San Francisco earthquake and fire. As a militia training vessel and receiving ship she survived until 1946.

February 8th 1903 New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7.-Rear Admiral Frank Wildes of the United States Navy died suddenly on board the steamship China yesterday morning. He was on his way home from China on sick leave when death overtook him.

Admiral Wildes had recently been in charge of the fleet in Manila and about the Philippines, his service on the station dating from June, 1902. From the first the trying climate seemed to be too much for the officer. Under the strain of the continued heat and excessive humidity he constantly lost strength, until finally the naval Board of Survey stepped in and the Admiral was condemned as physically unfit for duty and ordered home to recuperate.

It was reported that upon Admiral Wildes's arrival in this country, if the sea voyage had brought his health back, he was to be placed in charge of the Bremerton Navy Yard. But the sea air did not work the cure hoped for.

From the time Admiral Wildes boarded the China at Hongkong he failed steadily. In Honolulu he was unable to leave his berth. He died at 10:30 A. M. Friday. His body was embalmed and brought on to port

Admiral Wildes was appointed from Massachusetts, and his family lived in Boston. He was accompanied on the steamer by Lieut. Andrews, Commander E. B. Barry, and Capt. West of the navy. On the voyage he had told his fellow-officers that he expected death soon, and a day or two before the end came he arranged with Lieut. Andrews to take charge of all his effects and care for his remains. He was dressing on Friday morning when he was seized suddenly with heart failure. He died within five minutes.

The news of the Admiral's death was conveyed to the warships in the harbor soon after the arrival of the China in port, and as the steamer went up the bay to her wharf she passed close to the anchorage of the battleships and each of them had its flags at half-mast.

Rear Admiral Frank Wildes, recently Senior Squadron Commander of the Asiatic station on the flagship Rainbow, had a splendid career in the navy. His promotion from the rank of Captain followed closely upon his conspicuous conduct in the battle of Manila, May 1, 1898. He was at that time the Captain of the cruiser Boston and remained about the Philippines until the Spanish surrender, on Aug. 18. He was detached and ordered home on Nov. 6, 1898, and was sent to the navy yard in Brooklyn April 1, 1899. He had since that time been in the Philippines. His period of service there was scheduled to end on Dec. 22, 1902. He attained the rank of Rear Admiral in October, 1901.

He was born in Boston June 17, 1843. He came of a family of fighters, his great-grandfather, Brig. Gen. Solomon Lovell of Weymouth, having commanded the defenses of Boston during the Revolution, and his grandfather, Capt. William Wildes, having been a Lieutenant of the old frigate Boston. His maternal grandfather. Ithamar Rice, participated in fight at Lexington.

Wildes was graduated from the Naval Academy on May 28, 1863, and was appointed an Ensign. He participated in the battles of Mobile and the naval battery under Admiral Farragut until the surrender of Fort Morgan.

Photo 4 in the gallery is `NOT the actual tachi, but a most similar, Shinto Tokugawa mon tachi, so as just to give the idea of how it similar it will look

Code: 26063