USS Marblehead Map Discovered in Abbot Hall Attic

In his many years spent serving as a member of the town's Historical Commission, Wayne Butler has uncovered and cataloged countless local artifacts - but even he had to admit a recently discovered map was particularly exciting. 

At a meeting Tuesday morning, Butler, who now serves as the commission's Collections Manager, revealed to members a World War II map he discovered rolled up in the attic of . The map, believed to have been drawn by USNR Lt. John P. Bracken, details the route traveled by the USS Marblehead following the Battle of Makassar Strait.

In great detail, the map plots the light cruiser's path as it made its way south through the Philippines and includes a column in the left margin of important dates, including Dec. 7, 1941, when sailors onboard received the message: "Japan started hostilities, govern yourself accordingly."

One of the most interesting details of the map, Butler pointed out, was the fact that the ship's path changed significantly after the Marblehead was bombed by Japanese fighter pilots in the Battle of Makassar Straight.

"They were left without a functional rudder, so you can see the plotted line gets all squiggly after they get out of there," Butler said. "That's because they were using their twin engines against each other to keep themselves moving along."

Although Butler said there's no way to confirm exactly when and where the map was drawn, he believes Bracken drew it aboard the warship as it made its way through the Indian Ocean to safety.

Commission Chair Paul "Chris" Johnston called the map a "precious find" and suggested members look into the possibility of restoring it before it is framed and added to a local collection.