In place of our regular Treasure of the Month, Rosenberg Library presents a special display from the Galveston Naval Museum in honor of the United States Navy's 200th anniversary. Check out more information about the Galveston Naval Museum here.
On October 13th, 1775, the United State’s Navy was formed to protect the citizens and property of the US. While the technology used in the Navy has evolved over the years, from wooden sailing ships to nuclear powered submarines, the sense of duty has never wavered. “Non sibi sed patriae” – Latin for “Not self, but country,” is one of the Navy’s many unofficial mottos and it demonstrates the dedication that many of our nation’s bravest men and women have given for us to keep our freedoms.
1. 60 mm mortar shell, Cold War Era. Used heavily during the Vietnam War, mortars can provide defense from small boats and trawlers, have a standardized launcher for countermeasures, and can provide an antiship option for personnel ashore.
2. Mk 2 grenade, Pineapple grenade, WWII era. Used heavily during from WWII until the end of the Vietnam War, the US Navy was the last branch of the military when the last pineapple grenade was phased out of use.
3. Mk 12 gyroscope, used in Mk 14 torpedoes. Gyroscopes are used in torpedoes to maintain directional stability, allowing the torpedo to accurately hit their targets. Mk 14 torpedoes were an important part of the Navy and were created for WWII and were used for almost 40 years after.
4. Hand-painted USS Stewart destroyer escort model. The USS Stewart has been dry-docked on Pelican Island since 1974. She is one of only two preserved destroyer escorts in the U.S. and is the only Edsall-class vessel to be preserved.
5. USS Growler submarine model. The Growler was a Gato-class submarine that was built by the same company as the USS Cavalla, which is dry docked on Pelican Island, just two years early in 1942. The Growler and her crew were sunk by Japanese vessels west of the Philippines, November 8th,1944.
6. A starboard bow view of the Austin Class: Amphibious Transport Dock, USS Trenton (LPD-14), moored at pier 21, Galveston, Texas. The Trenton and her crew were honored guests for Mardi Gras festivities during the 2006 Navy Week Galveston.
7. Mrs. Laura Bush shakes hands with sailors of the submarine USS Texas, Saturday, September 9, 2006, prior to touring the ship and participating in a Commissioning Ceremony in Galveston, Texas.
8. US Navy SEAMAN Recruit Zachary D. Lyons gives beads to cheering spectators along the Krewe of Momus Mardi Gras parade route, in Galveston, Texas. Sailors were honored guests for Mardi Gras festivities during the 2006 Navy Week Galveston.
Images and text courtesy of the Galveston Naval Museum.
The Treasure of the Month is located on the library’s historic second floor near the East Entrance. It can be viewed during regular library hours: Monday, Friday, & Saturday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm, and Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00 am–8:00 pm. For museum questions, call 409.763.8854 Ext. 125 or email museum@rosenberg-library.org. For press inquiries, contact the Communications Coordinator.
