Gorham Silver hollowware water goblet (chalice) in sterling silver, pattern 1693.

Inscribed U.S.S. Abbot / 9-8-43, the date that Abbot sailed for Norfolk, Virginia, from Boston at the start of its war cruise. The date is aligned to the left, perhaps indicating that another date was expected to be engraved later.

In the opinion of several crew members, this was not part of the ship’s silver service. Instead, it may be a gift from a family member to a crewman — probably for an officer. The date has no significance other than the departure from Boston that morning; no crew member reported aboard or was detached that day, and Abbot cast off for Norfolk without incident at 09:29.