Hampton Roads Naval Museum

15. Fore and Aft Hat

Norfolk, VA

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In the museum's gallery is this hat, known as either a "cocked" or "fore and aft" hat. U.S.N. uniform regulations adopted in 1813 stated that senior officers, "when in full dress, [are] to wear half boots, cut and thrust swords with yellow mountings, and gold laced cocked hats, the lace not to show more than three-quarters of an inch on each side." While many 18th and 19th century U.S. Naval officers spent a lavish amount of their pay to ensure they were well-dressed, this particular cover took luxury to a different level. According to regulations, the hat only had to have gold lacing on wool cloth. This particular hat, however, used real beaver skin instead of wool, and real ostrich feathers, along with a lavish amount of gold in the lacing. The ostrich feathers by themselves probably cost more than did the lacing. Now on display in the museum gallery is a silver commemorative cup given by the citizens of Norfolk to Uriah Phillips Levy in 1815 in thanks for his service during the War of 1812. Inscribed on the cup are Levy's initials "U.L." and the Latin phrase "Dant Facta Hanc Corman" or "Deeds Gave This Crown." During the war, Midshipman Levy was captured by the Royal Navy while serving on the brig USS Argus off the coast of Ireland. The brig fell to HMS Pelican after a successful commerce raiding campaign in Britain's home waters. Levy and most of Argus' ship's company were sent to the notorious Dartmoor Prison until the end of the war. Levy is well known for being the first Jewish flag officer in the U.S. Navy, an advocate for judicial and punishment reform within the Navy, and the savior of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello after the estate had fallen into disrepair. The Jewish chapel at Naval Station Norfolk is named in his honor.