West Sea Co. SHIP RELICS Catalog Page 8

8.81 SHIP's ENGINEROOM REVOLUTION COUNTER. Very early 1900's revolution counter from a ship with a reciprocating steam plant. This old ship relic contains a mechanical counter consisting of 6 revolving count wheels, each engraved with Arabic numerals "0 - 9." Using a complicated series of internal cog wheels and engaging pins, the wheels register the rotation of the ship's propeller shaft in numerical sequence, one by one, recording up to one million revolutions! The heavy mechanism is housed in its lovely solid bronze case with hinged bezel and brass dial. The dial is beautifully engraved "Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., San Pedro, Calif. REVOLUTIONS. American Steam Gauge & Valve Mfg. Co. Boston. U.S.A." The classic, flared "ship's clock" bezel hinges open at the top, secured with a hasp at the bottom. The unusual 3-way hinge also allows the dial to fold up exposing the entire mechanism within. Outstanding cosmetic and functional condition. The exterior case has been polished to a high luster. The dial remains in original condition. 895

The Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Drydock Corp. was established as an emergency shipyard in 1917 in response to World War I. After the War it stayed in business primarily as a ship repair yard. The Navy invested $9 million in its facilities in 1941, but requisitioned the yard in December 1943 and turned it over to Todd Shipyard Co. to manage. At its peak, Todd Los Angeles employed 12,000 people. Todd acquired the yard from the Navy in 1945 and continued to operate it until 1989, when it was finally closed.

The American Steam Gauge & Valve Company was founded in 1851 at 220 Camden Street, Boston, Massachusetts, producing equipment for the industrial revolution along with such companies as Ashcroft, Star, Crosby and others. It was taken over prior to World War I by Ashcroft, a company which is still in business today.

8.91 SMALL CRAFT HELM. Particularly handsome, authentic ship’s wheel from a launch or small yacht. This well-made steering wheel is of solid mahogany with classic pinned and dowelled construction and six decoratively turned spokes. The “king spoke” which denoted rudder amidships, is marked with 4 recurring scribes. The solid bronze hub with cover is mounted onto its original spindle which runs through the mounting flange which would have attached to the vessel. For these purposes five screw holes are present for secure attachment. This diminutive wheel measures just over 20 inches from spoke to spoke with a rim diameter of 13 inches. The bronze mounting flange is 4 inches in diameter and is stamped on the back “MADE IN CANADA.” Lovely condition throughout showing good actual use but no abuse. The wheel spins freely on its spindle. 345

8.90 SHIP’s BELL. Genuine solid bell bronze ship’s bell from the turn-of-the-last century. This handsome bell is of the finest quality made of thick wall construction which produces a sharp resonant tone of amazing clarity lasting more than 30 seconds when is rung! Speaking to its quality the bell is attached to an exceptionally stout swan’s neck bracket capped by a very unusual knurled “Chinese hat” finial of early form. This bell retains its original clapper which shows much use as evidenced by the continuous line of indentations on the interior rim. The interior of the bell retains its original old red lead paint while the exterior has its original statuary bronze age patina. The bell measures 8 inches wide at the mouth, stands 8 ½ inches tall and weighs a hefty 12 pounds. This is certainly the nicest bell of its size and type that we have ever offered. Hearing is believing! 375

8.89 IDENTIFIED SHIP’s WHEEL. Genuine, 2nd quarter 1900’s American ship’s wheel, from the coastal steamer “NARRAGANSETT” as marked on the facing brass rim. This extremely stout helm is made of solid oak reinforced front and back with cast rims of the thickest bronze we have ever encountered on such a wheel. As such this helm, measuring 28 inches from spoke to spoke and 5 inches thick at the hub, weighs an amazing 32 pounds! The hub and rims are attached with numerous decorative yet functional brass acorn nuts which contribute to its most impressive overall appearance. Outstanding original condition in all respects.

Identified ships’ wheels are rare. This example, with bona fide provenance, is one of only a handful we have had the pleasure of offering in our 35 years. At that, it is undoubtedly the nicest!

8.88 SHIP’S OFFICERS’ KEY BOX. Authentic, early 1900’s ship’s key box from an old steamship. This handsome solid mahogany ship’s key cabinet is made using the finest dovetailed construction and features high quality solid brass hardware. It was designed to house up to 55 keys suspended on nickel-plated brass hooks mounted upon a lovely green felt background. It retains a diverse number of its original brass skeleton keys, many of which are identified, including one Captain’s key. The glazed, hinged door has its original brass pull and functional skeleton key and lock. The back of this key box is identified in two places as “Ch Officer” (First Officer), while the top front bears the original old brass plaque reading “CAPTAIN.” This key case measures 21 3/8ths inches wide by 30 inches high and 2 ½ inches deep. Outstanding original condition.

8.87 "LUCKY SEVEN" SHIP's WHEEL. Very substantial early 1900's American ship's helm wheel constructed of dense hardwood with a solid brass hub. This genuine ship's relic is of extremely stout construction, with massive yet delicately turned spokes and a rim punctuated by numerous brass fasteners. A most unusual aspect of this wheel is its 7 spokes instead of the typical 6 or 8. Obviously it is much more difficult to make such a configuration versus a symmetrical version with opposed spokes. The only logical reason for the added effort would be to appeal to sailors' legendary superstitions about good luck at sea! What better good luck charm than a lucky helm by which to steer the course of the ship?! This nice example weighs a very substantial 36 pounds and measures 38 inches across the spokes. The solid brass hub measures 6 ½ inches in diameter and is 3 ½ inches thick. The hub has a keyway for firm attachment to the steering gear and the front is threaded for a hub cover. The rim of the wheel has one through hole which originally accommodated a perpendicular handle for rapid turns. This has been removed. An especially handsome real ship's wheel, guaranteed NOT to be one of the ubiquitous Chinese fakes currently flooding the market. 995

8.86 PILOT HOUSE EAGLE. Genuine 19th century American pilot house eagle which once adorned the conn of a steam tug or similar coastal craft. This classic American eagle is carved from a large, single block of solid pine! It was obviously designed for a “working environment” because it has sturdy, somewhat stubbed wings and 3 points of attachment to its heavy, solid base. The handsome eagle is depicted standing on a rock with outstretched wings, turned to his right in a crouching pose as if ready to attack. Its fearsome beak agape with protruding tongue, this realistic carving can almost be heard uttering a shrill cry! Execution is of the first order, obviously done by a professional ship carver. Great attention was paid to carving the minute details of hundreds of individual feathers, depicting their vanes, rachi and barbs. The legs and talons are equally well executed. The “rock” base is a matter of function as well as form. Its mass was necessary to secure the carving against the wind and sea it encountered. In testament to its shipboard use, two old metal bolts used for firm attachment to the vessel still remain. Amazingly, this antique carving is in outstanding condition with no losses, chips or cracks to its durable wood. Originally it was gessoed and gilded in a bright gold finish. Evidence of both remain in a few places. But the surfaces are now in a rich natural wood finish. The base is in its original black paint. The bottom exhibits old tar, paint, oxidation and even burn marks – all good signs of its former marine environment. The eagle stands 20 inches high with a wing span of 21 inches and measures approximately 15 inches front to back. Authentic American pilot house eagles are dearly sought after. This eagle is a superb example of the rare 19th century shipcarver’s art, and is very reasonably priced! Another of our museum quality offerings. 2849

From heraldic tradition, the eagle’s facing from the right side (dexter) is the honor side of the shield, while the left side (sinister) indicates dishonor or illegitimacy.


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8.75 "KENOTOMETER." Offered here is one of our all time favorite acquisitions! It is embodied in an early English ship's vacuum gauge made in the traditional old manner using brass, wood, glass, mercury and faux ivory. Employed on a turn-of-the-century coal burning steamship, the interior backboard bears the nameplate reading, "KENOTOMETER BRAND VACUUM GAUGE ----<.>---- Sole Makers BRADY & MARTIN, Ltd. Newcastle-On-Tyne." Within the fine cabinet-quality solid teakwood case is an elaborate array of glass tubes, couplings and brass fittings. In more recent times this instrument was known as a "manometer," consisting of a typical round brass "Bourdon tube" gauge. But this highly complex, "over-engineered," variety features an air inlet on the left terminating in a vacuum readout in "Inches of Mercury" on the scale on the right....with everything in between! The top of the teak case has a heavy brass folding handle. The glazed front is hinged for access to the interior and is held tight by two brass hook and eye closures on the right. Inside on the bottom is a porcelainized pan to catch potential leakages. To it are affixed two colorful paper labels reading, "Union Brand, Made In England." Protecting the delicate contents of this instrument from possible damage in the hostile engineroom environment, the original sliding wooden cover is still present! This lovely, yet nonetheless odd instrument is a throwback to the 19th century -- a testament to the inertia within the English industrial infrastructure to embrace change and modernization. 13 1/2 inches wide and 19 1/4 inches tall overall. Simply outstanding original condition, even down to the original old paint spatters on the top! 2800

Included with the above are an original spare rubber cork and a piece of coal from the ship, still present in the porcelain tray!


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8.70 IDENTIFIED SHIP'S HELM. Handsome early 1900's ship's steering station made by "DONKIN & Co., Ltd. NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE," as engraved on the top cover. This helm is very desirable because of its unusually diminutive size AND the fact that it is identified as having come from the Spanish ship RIO PAS. It is made of heavy brass and non-ferrous metal. The heavy brass wheel measures only 23 1/2 inches in diameter. It has 6 spokes, with the "king spoke" prominently identified with a ribbed brass band. At its center, the hub is capped with a massive brass acorn nut. The wheel turns smoothly, rotating the rudder angle indicator on the top in the direction of the turn, marked "PORT" and "STAR". The graceful pedestal is a non-ferrous metal in white enamel paint, contrasting nicely with the original rich patination of the brass. The entire station stands 43 inches tall overall. The pedestal itself measures 35 1/2 inches tall with a base diameter of 11 1/2 inches. Excellent original condition evidencing real use at sea. 2495

The S.S. RIO PAS was a 3-masted 433 foot cargo vessel of 7,092 gross tons built by Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd., Barrow, England in 1941 for Spanish interests, Fernando M. Pereda. Originally launched as the S.S. SAN ANTONIO, she had a cruiser stern and low pressure reciprocating steam plant. As of 1950 she was no longer in service, but was being used as a storage ship. (Lloyd's Register of Shipping 1949-1950, Vol. II). This steering station was acquired by the original owner in Bilbao, Spain in the early 1970's, during the time the ship was being salvaged.


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8.59 IDENTIFIED BELL. Extra large ship's forecastle fog bell engraved with the vessel's name in bold letters, "S. S. "BENGALEN"" This authentic ship's bell is made of heavy solid brass, measuring 16 1/2 inches high by 18 1/2 inches in diameter and weighing in at over 100 pounds! It is complete with its original clapper which produces an unbelievably loud, deep clear tone of lasting duration! Fine original "as last taken from the ship" condition. It is rare to find identified ships' bells of this size and quality priced so reasonably! We are proud to be able to offer it. 2500

The S.S. BENGALEN was a single screw steamship of 9,800 tons built by Van der Glessen, Krimpen, The Netherlands in 1956. She was 508 feet in length with a breadth of 66 feet. BENGALEN operated in Atlantic service under the house flag of Koninklijke Rotterdam Lloyd, N.V., Rotterdam, Holland until being salvaged in Bilbao, Spain in the early 1970's.

INTERIOR

8.48 FIGUREHEAD. Authentic, mid-19th century American figurehead from a small coastal vessel or private yacht. This diminutive figurehead is realistically carved out of a single piece of pine in the form of a very stern looking American eagle. It is extremely well executed with the bold sure strokes of a professional shipcarver depicting the eagle's prominent beak, furrowed brow, eyes, and feathers. It exhibits great age with several coats of old paint in evidence and a deep age patina. A small portion of the eagle's beak has been lost to dry rot -- actually a very good sign of its long existence in a marine environment on a vessel's prow. This rare little carving measures only 5 3/4 inches long and about 2 inches thick. It is museum-mounted to a beautifully finished sculpted teak wall plaque which allows it to be displayed at the appropriate angle. The plaque measures 5 inches in diameter, with the entire presentation protruding slightly over 7 inches from the wall as so configured. A rare, genuine ship carving of manageable size and excellent value. 895

The American eagle was a very popular subject for ship carvings in fledgling maritime America. For similar carvings see M. V. Brewington's "Shipcarvers of North America," 1962, Barre Publishing Company, Barre, Massachusetts, pages 62 and 111.


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PERSPECTIVE	MAKER	KINGSPOKE	BACK


NARRAGANSETT	BACK