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TheBattenberg Cup is an award given annually as a symbol of operational excellence to the best ship orsubmarine in theUnited States NavyAtlantic Fleet. The cup was originally awarded as atrophy to the winner of cutter or longboat rowing competitions between crews ofAmerican andBritish naval ships. In more recent years it has been presented to theBattle Efficiency "E" winner selected as the best all-around ship of the Fleet based on crew achievements. These include performance in competition for Atlantic Fleet Sportsmanship Award, TYCOM Sailor of the Year Award,Golden Anchor Award (for retention),Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award (for food service), and command excellence awards. Other information, such as operating schedules, commitments and unusual factors contributing to the nomination may also be considered.
In 1905,Prince Louis of Battenberg, commanding the five ships of theRoyal Navy's 2nd Cruiser Squadron, visited theUnited States, making port visits inNew York City,Annapolis andWashington, D.C. Shortly after his return to England, Battenberg sent the cup toRear AdmiralRobley Evans who at the time commanded the US North Atlantic Fleet. Battenberg requested the trophy become a challenge cup between enlisted men of the two navies. The challenge rules were set up for cutter racing, including a provision that British sailors could compete with their American counterparts "whenever a ship holding the cup would fall in with a British Man-O-War." Only once in 34 years of competition (in 1907 during theJamestown Exposition inNorfolk,Virginia) and 52 challenges did the Americans lose the cup to the British.
The rowing competition was discontinued due toWorld War II and never resumed. The cup was present at theattack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 aboardUSS West Virginia, the last ship to win the cup. It survived the sinking of theWest Virginia during the attack and remained aboard as she was raised, refitted and returned to the war. The ship retained custody of the cup until her decommissioning in 1947 when the cup was displayed at several Navy commands. It was eventually placed in the Navy Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. until the competition reemerged in 1978 with new criteria.
The side of the 3-foot-high (0.91 m), silver-plated cup is engraved,"To the enlisted men of the North Atlantic Fleet from their British cousins of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. In grateful remembrance of the many kindnesses, tokens of good fellowship and wonderful entertainments that were given to them in cordial friendship by their comrades across the sea." It features the crossedensigns of the US Navy and Royal Navy.
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