7th Nov, 2017 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Fearless')
151
[M] THE MAIN SHIP'S BELL FROM THE R.M.S....
THE MAIN SHIP'S BELL FROM THE R.M.S. LAURENTIC, 1908
cast in bell metal with name inscribed over an arc with black-filled lettering, single hanging bracket to head (lacks clapper staple and clapper, pitted lower right on exterior) -- 19 x 17 x 14in. (48 x 43 x 35.5cm.)
Provenance: Bembridge Maritime Museum
Built, as all White Star liners were, by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, the Laurentic was registered at nearly 15,000 tons and could carry about 1,700 passengers over three classes, plus crew. She enjoyed her first brush with fame in July 1910 when Chief Inspector Dew of Scotland Yard boarded her in order to overtake the S.S. Montrose and apprehend Dr. Crippen and his mistress. In the Great War she maintained passenger services but was also registered as an auxiliary cruiser. On January 23rd 1917 Commanded by Capt R.A. Norton, she left port in fine but bitterly cold weather. About an hour later she struck two mines laid by U-80 in Lough Swilly and sank in just 45 minutes. Fifty-two officers and 316 ratings were saved but 475 died in the freezing seas. It later transpired she was carrying a cargo of 3211 (45 tons) in gold bars then valued in excess of £5 million -- over 390 million today. All but 25 of these were subsequently raised by the Royal Navy in the 1920's and a further three by a private company in 1934 -- the remaining 22 bars are still unaccounted for. The wreck was bought for £100 in 1969 by hobby diver Ray Cossum who, in 1979 raised this bell and sold it to the Bembridge Maritime Museum in 1993. The pitting seen so distinctly on the lower right rim is believed to have been made by a crewman who used a hammer to sound the alarm as the ship sank.
cast in bell metal with name inscribed over an arc with black-filled lettering, single hanging bracket to head (lacks clapper staple and clapper, pitted lower right on exterior) -- 19 x 17 x 14in. (48 x 43 x 35.5cm.)
Provenance: Bembridge Maritime Museum
Built, as all White Star liners were, by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, the Laurentic was registered at nearly 15,000 tons and could carry about 1,700 passengers over three classes, plus crew. She enjoyed her first brush with fame in July 1910 when Chief Inspector Dew of Scotland Yard boarded her in order to overtake the S.S. Montrose and apprehend Dr. Crippen and his mistress. In the Great War she maintained passenger services but was also registered as an auxiliary cruiser. On January 23rd 1917 Commanded by Capt R.A. Norton, she left port in fine but bitterly cold weather. About an hour later she struck two mines laid by U-80 in Lough Swilly and sank in just 45 minutes. Fifty-two officers and 316 ratings were saved but 475 died in the freezing seas. It later transpired she was carrying a cargo of 3211 (45 tons) in gold bars then valued in excess of £5 million -- over 390 million today. All but 25 of these were subsequently raised by the Royal Navy in the 1920's and a further three by a private company in 1934 -- the remaining 22 bars are still unaccounted for. The wreck was bought for £100 in 1969 by hobby diver Ray Cossum who, in 1979 raised this bell and sold it to the Bembridge Maritime Museum in 1993. The pitting seen so distinctly on the lower right rim is believed to have been made by a crewman who used a hammer to sound the alarm as the ship sank.
Sold for £12,400
Estimated at £10,000 - £15,000
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
THE MAIN SHIP'S BELL FROM THE R.M.S. LAURENTIC, 1908
cast in bell metal with name inscribed over an arc with black-filled lettering, single hanging bracket to head (lacks clapper staple and clapper, pitted lower right on exterior) -- 19 x 17 x 14in. (48 x 43 x 35.5cm.)
Provenance: Bembridge Maritime Museum
Built, as all White Star liners were, by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, the Laurentic was registered at nearly 15,000 tons and could carry about 1,700 passengers over three classes, plus crew. She enjoyed her first brush with fame in July 1910 when Chief Inspector Dew of Scotland Yard boarded her in order to overtake the S.S. Montrose and apprehend Dr. Crippen and his mistress. In the Great War she maintained passenger services but was also registered as an auxiliary cruiser. On January 23rd 1917 Commanded by Capt R.A. Norton, she left port in fine but bitterly cold weather. About an hour later she struck two mines laid by U-80 in Lough Swilly and sank in just 45 minutes. Fifty-two officers and 316 ratings were saved but 475 died in the freezing seas. It later transpired she was carrying a cargo of 3211 (45 tons) in gold bars then valued in excess of £5 million -- over 390 million today. All but 25 of these were subsequently raised by the Royal Navy in the 1920's and a further three by a private company in 1934 -- the remaining 22 bars are still unaccounted for. The wreck was bought for £100 in 1969 by hobby diver Ray Cossum who, in 1979 raised this bell and sold it to the Bembridge Maritime Museum in 1993. The pitting seen so distinctly on the lower right rim is believed to have been made by a crewman who used a hammer to sound the alarm as the ship sank.
cast in bell metal with name inscribed over an arc with black-filled lettering, single hanging bracket to head (lacks clapper staple and clapper, pitted lower right on exterior) -- 19 x 17 x 14in. (48 x 43 x 35.5cm.)
Provenance: Bembridge Maritime Museum
Built, as all White Star liners were, by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, the Laurentic was registered at nearly 15,000 tons and could carry about 1,700 passengers over three classes, plus crew. She enjoyed her first brush with fame in July 1910 when Chief Inspector Dew of Scotland Yard boarded her in order to overtake the S.S. Montrose and apprehend Dr. Crippen and his mistress. In the Great War she maintained passenger services but was also registered as an auxiliary cruiser. On January 23rd 1917 Commanded by Capt R.A. Norton, she left port in fine but bitterly cold weather. About an hour later she struck two mines laid by U-80 in Lough Swilly and sank in just 45 minutes. Fifty-two officers and 316 ratings were saved but 475 died in the freezing seas. It later transpired she was carrying a cargo of 3211 (45 tons) in gold bars then valued in excess of £5 million -- over 390 million today. All but 25 of these were subsequently raised by the Royal Navy in the 1920's and a further three by a private company in 1934 -- the remaining 22 bars are still unaccounted for. The wreck was bought for £100 in 1969 by hobby diver Ray Cossum who, in 1979 raised this bell and sold it to the Bembridge Maritime Museum in 1993. The pitting seen so distinctly on the lower right rim is believed to have been made by a crewman who used a hammer to sound the alarm as the ship sank.
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Fearless'), 7th Nov, 2017
