The Bark Greenpoint left New York Nov. 1852 and arrived in San Francisco on March 10th 1853 after a voyage of 139 days, Captained by Robert McCormack. During a subsequent voyage on August 8th, 1853 while heading South, the Ship John Stuart collided with the Bark Greenpoint near the Chincha Islands, sinking the latter immediately. Due to the heroic actions of 2 nearby ship captains, no lives were lost. In appreciation of their heroic action, Capt. McCormack commissioned two exceptional silver speaking trumpets and presented them to each captain.

The inscription reads "Presented by Capt. Robert McCormack of the late bark Greenpoint to Capt. William O. Putnam the representative & one of a number of American captains at the Chincha Islands as a token of gratitude for their spontaneous and unexpected assistance in an hour of need at Callao Aug. 8th 1853". The 2nd silver trumpet was presented to British Captain Kennedy of the ship Wallace with similar presentation.

This historical, rare, important, and magnificent 19th-century presentation speaking trumpet was made by Seymour Hoyt (1796-1866), New York (silversmith) circa 1853. Leaf garlands and 4 motifs of sailing ships in the ocean surround the bell. The trumpet measures 21 1/2" tall and is in excellent condition.