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Jeffrey A. Lampinksi, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Division
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Jennifer Smith Love, Acting
Special Agent in Charge, Baltimore Division of the FBI and the United States
Naval Academy announced today the recovery and return of the presentation
sword of Admiral John L. Worden, (1818-1897). This sword has been missing
from the United States Naval Academy since 1931 and was recovered as a
result of an ongoing FBI investigation conducted by the Art Theft Task
Force in Philadelphia, PA. The belt, which was made to hold the sword,
was also returned today.
An investigation into fraudulent dealings of three appraisers on the “Antiques
Roadshow,” resulted in the location of the Worden presentation sword. The FBI
was able to identify the collector, who was in possession of the presentation
sword, and notified him that it belonged to the United States Navy. As a result,
he voluntarily turned the sword over for repatriation to the USNA. No charges
have been filed regarding the sword.
In 1998, as a result of numerous appraisals done regarding Civil War artifacts
on the “Antiques Roadshow,” a family contacted certain appraisers they had seen
on the show. The family offered the Worden sword for sale. It was purchased and
subsequently sold to a collector, who will not be named. The family had the sword
in their possession since the 1930’s.
The presentation sword belonged to Admiral John L. Worden, the Commander of the
United States Warship Monitor. The Monitor was the first ironclad ship in the
US Navy. Worden commanded the Monitor in 1862 during its historic battle with
the CSS Virginia, aka Merrimac, in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 1862, the New
York legislature passed a resolution to present Worden, a New York native, with
a sword to commemorate his heroics during the battle. The sword was made by Tiffany
and Company, New York and is considered priceless. It is thought to be one of
the finest Naval presentation swords ever made.
Worden was promoted and became the 7th Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy
(1868-1873). At the time of his death in 1897, he was a rear admiral. His family
donated the sword to the Museum in 1912. The sword and its belt were reported
missing by the US Navy in 1931.
SAC Lampinski stated, “ Over the past few years the FBI has recovered millions
of dollars of artwork and cultural property. Each of these pieces has an important
place in history. Although many of these items belong to museums, they really
belong to each one of us. They are a part of history and our heritage. The sword
marks an important date in United States history and represents a pivotal moment
in U. S. Naval history. We are proud to return this to the United States Navy
and the American people.”
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