West Sea Co. SHIP RELICS Catalog Page 8

West Sea Company

SHIP RELICS

Catalog Page 8

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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.


DETAIL	MAKER

8.69 BRIDGE TELEGRAPH. Full size early 1900's ship's pilot house E.O.T. from an American merchantman. This handsome engine order telegraph is boldly signed on the milk glass dials "BRELCO 55 Vandam Street New York" and bears the standard "AHEAD" and "ASTERN" indications, "SLOW, HALF and FULL". In addition it is marked "FINISHED WITH ENGINE, STOP (top center) and STAND BY. The dials are protected on each side by heavy clear glass covers through which attachment points for the handles protrude. Construction is of the finest quality with all components being made of very heavy solid brass. The dual handles operate in tandem, indicating use aboard a single screw vessel -- probably a Liberty Ship. With each speed change the handles move the brass indicator arrows on both sides accompanied by the ringing of the internal bell with a loud, clear tone! For night use this telegraph is equipped with internal lighting operated by a brass toggle switch under the head. In addition the telegraph is equipped with a detachable oil burning side lamp for illumination in an emergency. 48 1/2 inches tall overall and 47 inches high to the top of the head. The head is 12 inches in diameter and the heavy flanged base with 6 holes for securing to the deck is 12 inches in diameter and over 1/2 inch thick. Virtually mint condition. Fully functional in all respects. A "cleaner" example is not to be found!


PERSPECTIVE	REVERSE	DIAL	DIAL REVERSE

8.63 PILOT HOUSE TELEGRAPH. Exceptional turn-of-the-century American ship's bridge telegraph signed "Kirk-Habicht Co., Balto. MD." This early, finest quality E.O.T. has several unusual features. The original milk glass dials are painted with the ahead signals in black and the astern signals in red. The dials are "framed" by lovely bronze chapter rings under outer clear protective glass. The engineroom indicator arrow is beautifully shaped in a delicate form. The stout bronze handles have turned wooden grips and operate independently of one another, indicating that this telegraph was actually used on a twin screw vessel! The telegraph retains its original side light for night illumination . The extremely heavy solid brass pedestal gracefully tapers to the thick flared bottom which is attached to a solid teak base with appropriate size massive brass screws. Both of the handles operate the mechanical linkage within and are attached to separate bells which ring with a loud clear tone when speed changes are signaled. Of note is that all internal workings are in tact and functional, including pullies, chains and the turnbuckle attachments for the cables. This telegraph stands 48 1/2 inches tall to the top of the handles and 42 1/2 inches to the top of the head. The head measures 9 1/4 inches in diameter and the base measures 13 inches in diameter. Absolutely one of the finest ship's telegraphs we have ever seen!


DETAIL	DIAL	REVERSE

8.61 ROYAL NAVY SHIP'S WHEEL. Very rare, identified turn-of-the-last-century ship's helm from a British ship of the line. This authentic ship's relic is constructed of decoratively-turned teak with applied brass rims. These rims, front an back, are cast in high relief. They are not sheet metal. As such they are decorative while providing extraordinary strength, and bring the weight of this wheel to over 30 pounds! The solid brass hub has a keyway aligned with the king spoke above. The handle is marked with a decorative brass cap to indicate when the rudder was amidships. The hub is stamped "CPB" with the Royal Navy broad arrow indicating it saw service on a British man-o-war. This especially handsome wheel measures 36 inches in diameter and is in outstanding, immaculate condition. Certainly one of the finest examples of a genuine ship's wheel we have ever seen!


BACK	INSPECTOR'S MARK

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

8.57 EARLY SHIP'S WHEEL. Authentic 19th century ship's wheel of classic form and construction. This very well made helm is probably of American manufacture containing the varietal native woods, birch, pine and oak. It has a solid brass hub with keyway from which radiate 8 lovely decoratively turned wooden spokes. The outer rim is laminated for stability and fastened with 56 bronze screws on each side, giving it great strength and a very handsome appearance. This stout veteran of the seas shows use and a good age patina on all surfaces. It measures 35 inches in diameter from spoke tip to tip and is 2 3/4 inches thick. 895

DETAIL

8.52 SHIP'S HULL PLAQUE. Authentic early 1900's ship's hull identifier plaque of heavy cast brass reading, "265'-10 3/8" <-- TO STEM / 414'-2" --> TO STERN" in relief. Such a plaque was originally affixed to the appropriate internal section of the ship's hull by the building yard and was used as a crucial reference for the anticipated hull modifications and yard work subsequently performed during shipyard overhauls for the duration of the vessel's life. This scarce example measures 8 by 11 3/4 inches and bears traces of its original old red paint. Now highly finished, it is countersunk into a lovely single section of Western Red Cedar 11 1/4 by 17 1/4 inches. A great "What Is It?" for the hallway or back bar! 395

8.50 CAT HEAD. Absolutely charming authentically-carved image of a cat head done in high relief with excellent detail. This beautiful hand carving is made from a single piece of very dense tropical hardwood which is extremely rich in color. The ears, eyes and mouth are in subtle pained hues while the remainder of the surfaces appear to be natural, sealed with an oil finish. The entire presentation measures 10 inches wide by 10 1/4 inches high and is in excellent original condition. A marvelously endearing caricature with great character! 995

From about the sixteenth century onward such carvings adorned the ends of the two beams above the ship's anchors, used for hoisting same when "weighing" anchor. According to Falconer's "Marine Dictionary," 1776, "Cat heads consist of two short timbers extending from the ship's focs'le, each containing two or more sheaves, which in combination with the cat tackle form the machine used to raise and lower the ship's anchors."

PROFILE

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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