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A very scarce silver presentation speaking trumpet presented to Lieutenant Fredrick K. Pearson.
Fredrick K. Pearson served aboard the USS Jamestown during the Civil War as part of the Atlantic Blockade Squadron. In October 1862, the Jamestown transferred to the Pacific Squadron to search for Confederate privateers, and by 1864, she was stationed off Yokohama, Japan—the sole American vessel present when a multinational fleet assembled to force open the Strait of Shimonoseki to Western powers.
Pearson was given command of the chartered steamer Ta-Kiang, which joined the allied fleet as it anchored off the Japanese forts. When the engagement began, the Japanese batteries returned fire, and the Ta-Kiang, equipped with a single Parrott gun, joined in the bombardment. Pearson also dispatched a landing party of British Marines to seize control of the forts.
Following the action, Pearson returned to the Jamestown. In March 1865, while still at Yokohama, this silver trumpet was presented to him by J. M. Wade, a fellow officer and paymaster. In recognition of his service, the British government additionally awarded Pearson a gold medal.
A very scarce