This beautiful apron reflects a story as part of strategic World
War I history. It is embroidered with
the date 1-1-19, as well as “U.S.S. Ossipee” and “Ponta Delgada Acores.” It also has two embroidered flags, one the
United States flag, and the other the flag of Portugal, an ally of the U.S.A.
in World War I.
The embroidered date of 1-1-19 was just 6 ½ weeks after the
end of World War I. Germany had signed
an armistice with the Allies on November 11, 1918.
Ponta Delgada is a location in Portugal, and the U.S.S. Ossipee
is a ship originally designed as a cruising cutter, capable of extremely long voyages for vessels of their size.
However, on April 6, 1917, she was transferred to the U.S.
Department of Navy. She was painted the
regular war color, and continued working with the Patrol Forces until orders were received to prepare for duty overseas in the war
zone. On September 3, 1917, she joined
her first convoy as a “Danger Zone Escort.”
This duty generally lasted several days. On outbound convoys, the Danger
Zone Escort would escort the convoy to a meeting with the "Ocean
Escort" at sea. Later she also took
on the duties of an “Ocean Escort,” securing convoys all the way to their
International destinations.
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| http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/179884.htm |
While this cutter was within
the war zone, she had convoyed 596 vessels. In 23 of these, she served as the
ocean escort. The Ossipee observed submarines, or evidences of their
presence. As a war escort ship, she
helped convoys which were often attacked, with the loss of some merchant ships which
were sunk. Ossipee, herself, was
attacked once, barely escaping destruction as the torpedo missed her by 15 to
20 feet.
So who might have made this
historically significant, beautiful apron that is now 92 years old? Since the location is in Portugal, could it
have been made by the wife of an ally Portuguese sailor? The U.S.S. Ossipee later served in World War
II and was eventually retired from war service.
Who would the family have been who rode the waves and fought the fights
to defend their country from the ravages of war? Probably one fine lady who prayed every day
for her husband, taking care of the children, working at home in the kitchen, wearing
an apron, sewing another, dating it 1-1-19.
Or maybe a proud mother whose son had gone off to war, and she celebrated his
return home with this lovely, meaningful, apron.
Wonderful, insightful writing Miz Di........words to make us think of what has come before us.
ReplyDeleteLove all of these aprons. I remember that my mom always wore an apron and I also like them, in fact one of my daughters gave me one for Christmas. Difficult to find the old ones, hope aprons come back and even if they don't I like them. Your newest follower...Lu
ReplyDeleteHi Lu! I'm looking forward to receiving your Etsy covered hangers! They're beautiful! I looked at your blog, and it's a fun read! I enjoyed looking at all the photographs of clocks that your husband took. He's a great photographer with an eye for the unique. I would like to learn how to have a few of the gadgets you have on your blog. I look forward to visiting with you more again soon. Thanks for following! Blessings, Dianne
ReplyDeleteHi! I have an apron just like yours that is dated May 5, 1918 for the USS Bridgeport. My understanding is that it was a souvenir apron that a sailor could purchase in the port of call to send home to his sweetheart... at least that is the story that goes along with our family heirloom. Our aprons are very similar, with just a few different details in the embroidery and slightly different lace. Contact me if you would like to see a picture of the one I have. One of the things I have always found interesting is the size of the waist of my apron... it was made to be worn by a lady with a tiny waist, one probably held tight with a corset.
ReplyDelete