Exploring Masonic Values Through Art HMS Augusta Gavel and the Bombardment of Philadelphia

by Michael Comfort Director, Masonic Library and Museum of PA

There is an artifact that has been on display in our Exhibit Hall for many years, quietly sitting on a shelf, giving mute witness to one of the most heroic battles of the Revolutionary War.

In the fall of 1777, the British Navy, under the command of Vice Admiral Lord Richard Howe, began to advance up the Delaware River. Meanwhile, the British Army, under the command of his brother, Lord William Howe, marched over land toward their intended goal: the capture of the new nation’s capital, Philadelphia.

The Navy met with strong resistance from the Continental Army at Mud Island Fort (later re-named Fort Mifflin) in Pennsylvania and Fort Mercer, just across the Delaware River in New Jersey. These two forts made up the river defenses of the city, and their garrisons (the troops stationed in a fortress or town to defend it) were charged with keeping the Navy from reaching the riverfront of Philadelphia and re-supplying the Continental Army.

When the Navy arrived at the forts, they were met with both river obstructions deliberately placed there by the Americans and artillery fire from both forts.

On Oct. 23, 1777, during the course of these engagements, Fort Mifflin fired a “hot shot” (iron cannon balls heated to red hot, then fired at wooden ships) that hit the British 64-gun ship, the HMS Augusta. The shot started a fire, which, when it reached the powder magazines, resulted in a huge explosion, and sent Augusta to the bottom of the river.

The hull of the Augusta was dredged from the river in 1876 and hauled to Gloucester, New Jersey, where it became a tourist attraction for many years. People could easily go and cut pieces as souvenirs. This gavel (pictured) was fabricated from one of these pieces. It was presented to Industry Lodge No. 131 from Philadelphia by Brother Charles H. Maul on Sept. 9, 1912. A large piece of the wreckage was also recently discovered in the museum archives.

We received more than 40 entries this year for the “Embodying Masonic Values” Art Competition. Since 2018, the Masonic Library and Museum’s open art competition has provided an opportunity for participants to explore Masonic values through art. Cash prizes are awarded to winners in five categories: Oil, Three-dimensional, Drawing and Printmaking, WaterBased Medium and Digital Imagery. Most of the artwork is also available for sale, with 80% of the sale value going to the artist and 20% to the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania. Please contact the Gift Shop at 215-988-1977 (Tuesday through Saturday) to make an art purchase and arrange to pick it up. Congratulations to all the winners! The Grand Exhibition was on view to the public from Oct. 11 – Nov. 12. To view all the art entries, including the winners, please visit PaMasonicTemple.org/open-artcompetition-2022.

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