Capt Hans A Anderson The New York Times of April 23, 1909.

cabinet photo of Hans A. Anderson (1824-1912)in GAR uniform, probably close to turn of the century. Verso with label Seaman Anderson member of the Monitor in fight with Merrimac. Folder with the photo includes photocopies of Anderson's biography from the report filed by Irwin M. Berent with NOAA by the Underwater Archaeology Unit, Department of Cultural Resources, State of North Carolina. The report contains whatever biographical information is available for all USS Monitor crewmen, but only Anderson's and adjacent pages are included here. Folder also contains Anderson's records from NARA, including pension papers and disability requests, plus widow's pension papers.

Born in Sweden, Anderson took to the sea as a young man, somewhere about 1845 or 1846. In 1847 he immigrated to the U.S. and became a Merchant Marine from 1852-1856. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving two 3-year terms. He was discharged in Jan. 1862, but he had seen the Monitor over Christmas, and by Feb. 1862 had reenlisted to serve on the "cheese-box on a raft." The report describes the subsequent fight with the CSS Merrimac, and Anderson's later exploits, including being "Shanghaied" while on shore leave in NY City. He apparently consumed a drugged beer, and when he woke he was at sea on an unnamed ship with people who spoke an unfamiliar language. When they landed in England, Anderson went straight to the U.S. Consulate to try to return to the US. He did, and served until Jan. 1865 on various other ships. All of his pension papers and surgeon's examinations emphasized his service on the Monitor. By his death in 1912, he was the last survivor of that crew.

Condition: Minor soil. It was apparently mounted in something and there is some tape residue on verso at top edge. Otherwise very good or better condition (gilt around border not worn, corners not bumped).

Publication Number:
M1279
Publication Title:
Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of Civil War and Later Navy Veterans (Navy Widows' Certificates), 1861-1910
Publisher:
NARA
National Archives Catalog ID:
561929
National Archives Catalog Title:
Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of Navy Veterans , compiled ca. 1861 - ca. 1910
Record Group:
15
Date:
1861-1920
Short Description:
NARA M1279. Approved pension applications of widows and other dependents of U.S. Navy veterans who served between 1861 and 1910.
Veteran Surname:
Anderson
Veteran Given Name:
Hans A
Pensioner Surname:
Anderson
Pensioner Given Name:
Priscilla
Relationship:
Widow
Certificate Number:
20827
Veteran Surname Starts With:
A
Veteran Surname Starts With Two:
An