The Rebel Blockade Runner Cherokee was built in Scotland in 1859 and sold to Charleston, South Carolina investors in 1862, renamed the Cherokee. The 600 ton screw steamer  successfully ran the blockade in 1862 carrying valuable cargo to Charleston. In May 1863,  loaded with precious cotton to sell in England  she ran aground off Charleston and was captured by the USS Canandaigua and the cotton seized as a "Prize of War". She was renamed the USS Cherokee in early 1864 and served with the Atlantic Blockade Squadron capturing the Confederate Blockade Runner Emma Henry,  took part in the bombardment of Fort Fisher, North Carolina and patrolled off Key West until the End of the War.
  Officers and men who captured an enemy vessel were awarded Prize Money. An Original United States District Court of Massachusetts Prize Money Attestation Certificate issued May 27, 1863  naming the Steamer Cherokee & cargo as a prize of the US Navy with questions to be asked of parties claiming a share of the prize including name, rank, vessel served on  & details of the part your vessel played in the pursuit and capture of the prize, etc. The cotton cargo alone would have earned the Canandaigua crew a small fortune.
The 1p 8 x 11" ptd Certificate  is ink dated June, 1863, naming  the Steamer Cherokee & Cargo. The reverse continues with questions to be answered and witnesses sworn and deposed, and is ink attested by District Court Clerk SC Sprague. The only such Prize Certificate  I have seen.  Minor stains, edge wear, Overall VG.

Welcome to my Ebay Auctions and Ebay Store. I am a specialist in early American Military & Historical items, especially American Civil War ephemera- letters, military & historic documents including broadsides, commissions,  General Orders and other imprints and badges.  I have been collecting and selling original American Civil War & US Military memorabilia for 41 years.

PLEASE SEE MY EBAY STORE FOR OTHER CIVIL WAR AND EARLY AMERICAN MILITARIA LISTINGS.

I am a longtime member of the Company of Military Historians, the New England Antique Arms Association, the Ephemera Society of America & the Civil War Veterans Historical Assn.

My customers have included some of the leading names in collecting and selling American History items, as well was as a wide range of novice & advanced collectors in addition to some 30 US federal, state, public and private university & municipal museums and libraries.

NOTE: Any repair to a paper item is listed.  I use only museum curator approved archival repair tape.

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Mike Brackin