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 | S.S. Oronsay Ashtray - Built for the Orient Steam Navigation Company and her maiden voyage in 1925 was from London to Australia. In WWII she was requisitioned as a troopship, and she played a full and active part in the war until 9 October 1942, Oronsay was sailing in the Atlantic en route from Cape Town to the UK via Freetown when she was torpedoed and sunk by the Italian submarine 'Archimede'. Fortunately only 5 on board were lost. Our ashtray carries the Orient Line house flag picked out in brass and enamel and the ships name in standard form above with surmounted by a Kings Crown above. The reverse is stamped Angus & Coote, Sydney. Measures 4.75" x4.75" (12 cm x 12 cm)
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| Pacific & Oriental Ships Ladle - The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dates from 1832. In 1837, the business the company won a contract from the British Admiralty to deliver mail to the Iberian Peninsula and in 1840 they acquired a contract to deliver mail to Alexandria in Egypt In 1847 P&O entered the (then legitimate! opium trade. Mail contracts were the basis of P&O's prosperity until the Second World War, but the company also became a major commercial shipping line and passenger liner operator. Our ladle carries the classic Rising Sun company logo with a very ornate intertwined P & O initials below. Interestingly the ladle bowl has a very skilled brazed repair dating from a time when we did not live in a throw away society and in our view only adds to the interest. The back is stamped ZA and Elkington Plate. The ladle has age wear commensurate with its age but all in all a super piece for any P & O collector. Measures 7.25" (18 cm)
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| Steam Ship's Engine Room Salinity Jug - In tapered form and made from brass and fitted with a hardwood handle to provide insulation when in use. These were used to draw off water from steam ship boilers, so that the salinity of the water could be tested by use of a hydrometer. Unusual and decorative marine item from a bygone age with a definite art nouveau feel. Some service wear, but good original condition and now getting hard to find. Probably dating from the early 20th century Height 29 cm (11.5").
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| Royal Navy Bosun's Whistle - A genuine example in good issued condition with minor marks commensurate with. service use. Nicely marked with the military broad arrow property mark on both sides of the bowl so almost certainly Royal Navy issue. It carries no makers details but we would estimate this instrument dates from WWII or early post war. Lacking suspension ring and rope. Measures 4.5" (12 cm)
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| Pair of Ship's Engine Room Brass Jugs - fitted with hardwood handles. These were used to draw off water from steam ship boilers, so that the salinity could be tested. One handle is marked with red paint and the other green, we speculate one was used for the port boiler and the other starboard! Unusual and decorative marine items from a bygone age. Some service wear, but good original condition. Height 30 cm (12").
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| Teak Planter Barrel from Timbers of HMS Warspsite - Over the years we have had numerous items of treen made from timbers salvaged from Royal Navy ships but this planter is one of the more impressive. It carries a brass plaque to the rim reading 'From the Teak of HMSWarspite.' Warspite was Queen Elizabeth-class battleships launched in 1913 and she served with distinction with Battle Honours for Jutland in WWI and in WWII for the Atlantic 1939, Narvik 1940, Norway 1940, Calabria 1940, Mediterranean 1940-41-43, Malta Convoys 1941, Matapan 1941, Crete 1941, Sicily 1943, Salerno 1943, English Channel 1944, Normandy 1944, Biscay 1944 and Walcheren 1944! She thus earned, in a 30 year career, the most battle honours ever awarded to an individual ship in the Royal Navy and the most awarded for actions during the Second World War. For this and other reasons Warspite gained the nickname the "Grand Old Lady. "Warspite's motto was 'Belli Dura Despicio' meaning "I Despise the Hard Knocks of War" and she certainly lived up to this! She was struck off charge in 1947 and 19 April 1947, Warspite departed Portsmouth for scrapping at Faslane. On the way, she encountered storm force conditions. In desperation she dropped one of her anchors in Mount's Bay, Cornwall, which did not hold, and the storm drove her onto Mount Mopus Ledge near Cudden Point and she went hard aground a few yards away in Prussia Cove. Her skeleton crew of seven were all saved by the Penlee Lifeboat. There were several attempts to re float her but the hull was badly damaged and she was eventually broken up at that spot. Our planter is made from teak planks from the wreck (possibly decking) and are held in place by brass bands. Inside is fitted a galvanised plant holder which shows some age wear. This item is from our own collection and we have used with a pot plant inside and at Christmas looks brilliant displayed with a Poinsettia. A superb historical item that will become a real talking point in any home! Measures 10 1/2" high x 12" diameter (28 cm x 31 cm.)
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| Sestrel Hand Bearing Compass by Henry Browne & Sons Ltd - A fine example that comes complete with its original fitted deck box for safe storage aboard whilst not in use. Henry Browne and Son Ltd was founded in the nineteenth century and were based at Station Works, Wakering Road, Barking, Essex. They were respected British instrument makers who made fine quality compasses, ships clocks, barometers, inclinometers, sextants and chandlery items for over 140 years; 'Sestrel' was the company Trade Mark. Henry Browne Ltd was sold to John Lilley & Gillie Ltd and SIRS Navigation, both UK companies, in 1993. This firmly established these companies as the leading UK manufacturer of nautical instruments. Our compass is built to the highest specification and being finished in battleship grey we speculate it may have once served with the Royal Navy. We believe the bowl and handle to be made of bronze although we stand to be corrected on this. It is engraved 'Henry Browne & Son Ltd. Barking & London No. 4340, Trade Mark Sestrel and made in England' along the top edge. It is fitted with a wet card compass with cardinal points and sighting prism. This is fitted with a celluloid panel for writing down compass bearings taken. The handle is also made from highest quality brass with a wooden grip over. The screw base when opened reveals a void for dry cell batteries to provide back light to the compass card when used at night. The compass bowl is marked 'Fill Only with water alcohol mixture.930 SP.GR.' This pattern of compass often has the bowl stripped and polished but like all scientific instruments we prefer to leave in service condition which also is preferable from a value point of view. The compass card swings freely and the sighting prism is in perfect condition. Whilst this item is for sale as a collectable subject to testing and a minor top up of the compass oil we see no reason why it should not go back to sea and would look perfect mounted in the cabin of a classic yacht. The fitted teak case shows some age wear to the varnish but is otherwise in perfect condition. It is fitted with a fold down polished brass handle to the top. The front Perspex also carries a celluloid plaque attached to door panel reading "Sestrel" Henry Browne & Son Ltd. The instrument height is 10" (25 cm) It is interesting to note SIRS Navigation still offer virtually the same model in their current range marketed under the name Radiant and is made to a NATO specification for both the military and private sectors and we were advised these retail for £895.00. Our earlier model is significantly cheaper!
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| Trench Art Field Cannon Model - This superbly engineered example is not really our area of expertise but we could not resist it! It appears to be scratch built in brass and steel and it even features an opening breach mechanism just like the original. We are not sure if this is a model of a specific type but from our limited research, has similarities with the British 12 Pounder Armstrong cannon introduced in 1863 and which subsequently served with the British Army and Navy. The brass barrel and frame have a wonderful aged patina which we have not touched and it could of course be polished to a high shine but this will be the new owner's decision. A real one off. Length 11" (28 cm)
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| Ships Port and Starboard Electric Navigation Lamps - A matched pair in polished brass and fitted with red and blue glass lenses. These lamps show evidence of minor service wear but generally in very good original condition. They do not have any makers marks but we would guess of English manufacture and probably circa 1950's. Each lamp has a riveted mounting bracket to the back plate and a rear hinged door which opens to reveal the interior which has a lamp reflector in place as well as a slide out bayonet lamp fitting. The lamps are currently fitted with what we believe to be the original 12 volt 21 watt bulbs. We have not had these tested but if the new owners wished to use either on a boat or in a domestic situation we would recommend having them rewired and checked over by a qualified electrician. Each lamp measures 4 1/2" high and 5" wide (11 cm x 12 cm.)
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| Ships 'In/Out' Cabin Sign Board - Tom Ferrers–Walker served in the Royal Navy in WWII and when he left the service he decided to collect a range of Royal Navy artefacts and he dedicated the reminder of his life in assembling one of the most comprehensive private collections in the UK. He put in a tremendous amount of hard work (and cash! into the collection and was able to purchase items that included ships helms, tread plates and screen badges, tompions, plaques and much else besides. These were initially acquired directly by Mr Ferrers-Walker when the ships were sold out of service and broken up in the period after World War 11 but he continued his hobby right up until the 1990's when he sourced items from public auctions and private collectors. This Officers In/Out sign board is one of the more modest items from the collection but interesting none the less. Sadly we don't know what ship it came from but no doubt was originally mounted on an Officers cabin door and it is nice to speculate perhaps that of the Captain? It has clearly been made up on board by the ships carpenter and is made from mahogany with a sliding panel to indicate if the officer is 'In' or 'Out'.This would serve equally well today either ashore or afloat, perhaps on the door of the smallest room in the house? Measures 8.5" x 5.5" (22 cm x 14 cm)
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| Royal Navy Rum Pump - Made from copper and brass with a hardwood handle. These were in Royal Navy use from the 19th century and were used to draw the daily rum ration from the keg for distribution to all hands. This tradition was finally abandoned with the last tot to the fleet being issued on 31st July, 1970 - a tradition started in 1667. These pumps were never dated but this example is in very clean condition and is complete with the syphon mechanism with even the leather washer in place. The last example we sold was used on HMS Victorious as recently as WWII. Sadly we have no history with this one but no doubt it would have a story to tell. A museum quality item, so grab this one while you have the opportunity. Measures 41" (104 cm)
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| Shipping Company Brass Astray - A good solid brass example which carries a shipping pennant motif to the centre. This is made from brass and enamel and features a fouled anchor set against a white background with blue segments either side. The ashtray does not carry any identifying marks and we have been unable to identify its origins so if any visitors to the site can enlighten us please get in touch and we will add to our description. Measures 5.5" diameter (13.5 cm)
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| Naval Semaphore Flags - The semaphore flag signalling system was designed by the Chappe brothers in France in the late 18th century. It was soon adopted by other European countries and despite modern technology the system is still used today. Here we have a mint and original set of flags which measure 12" x 14" (30 cm x 36 cm) with each flag is made from cotton and is divided diagonally into a red and a yellow section with the red in the uppermost triangle. The handles are varnished hardwood and whilst we don't know their provenance appear to be in unissued condition.
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| 10th Submarine Flotilla Model Anvil with interesting provenance - A fine presentation example fully engraved to front 'Xmas 1941 Major Fitzroy Fyers C.V.O. from the E.R.A's of the 10th Submarine Flotilla.' The CVO represents the Royal Victorian Order instigated by Queen Victoria and was awarded for 'extraordinary, important or personal services to the sovereign of the Royal Family' and Fyer was awarded Commander rank. The 10th submarine Flotilla was known as "The Fighting Tenth" after its tenacious fighting spirit and the heavy losses it suffered. The Flotilla operated from Malta from 1941-43, and despite ceaseless and furiously mounted air bombardment, constantly attacked the Axis convoys all the way from the Italian mainland to North Africa. Clearly this model anvil was presented by the Engine Room Artificers who were essentially Royal Navy fitters, turners or boilermakers, workings on the boats engines and boilers, and trained in the maintenance and operation and uses of all parts of marine engines. Major Fitzroy Fyers pre war was equerry to the Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, and Governor General of Canada. He attended the 1936 Nazi Party Nuremburg Rally and then a Captain Fyers was one of only two foreign speakers and he delivered his speech in German. In his closing address, the president of the Reichskriegerbund made particularly friendly references to Great Britain! How times subsequently changed! We have no specific provenance as to why Fyers was presented with this unusual gift in December 1941 but assume it must have been during a visit to Malta. The base is we believe made from scrap engine room material (possibly Bakelite) and the model anvil is beautifully crafted. Interestingly the top plate shows evidence of of it being used –perhaps a little extra touched added by the ERA's who fabricated it 73 years ago! Anvil stands 4" high and is 5" wide (9.5 cm x 12 cm.) Certainly a unique item with a wonderful provenance and worthy of further research.
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| Marine Caulking Mallet - This example appears to have never been used and is as crisp as when it was made. Constructed in hardwood with metal bands. These mallets were used to hammer oakum into the seams of wooden ships to make the hulls watertight. 41 cm.
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| Royal Navy Rum Pump - in copper & brass. Late 19th century, used for drawing daily rum ration from the keg. 101 cm.
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| Yacht or Launch Boarding Ladder - Probably made by Davy & Company, London. Manufactured from mahogany and finished in varnish with chrome plated brass fittings. Can be stored folded when not in use and by releasing the hook, can be extended to double its length. While for sale as a collector's item, we believe these steps could be used for their intended purpose although we own a similar set of steps which make a very fine book case in a nautically themed cloakroom! Measures 30.6" x 6" (folded) (77 cm x 16 cm) and 54" (137 cm) extended.
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| Yacht or Launch Steps by Simpson Lawrence & Co, Ltd. - This is a small set, probably used to assist crew entering or exiting the cockpit area. The entire unit folds flat when not in use. Fitted with a Simpson Lawrence makers brass plaque with other chrome on brass fittings. Some wear to the original varnish but in generally sound condition. We use a similar example as a book case in a nautically themed cloakroom. Measures 16" x 8.25" (41 cm x 21 cm)
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| Ship's Deck Filler Cap - No, this is not a giant's bath plug hole! It is, however, a filler cap and mount, made from solid brass with screw fitted removable cover which is attached with a safety chain to avoid loss whilst at sea. This would probably have been flush fitted to the ship's deck to give access to either diesel or water tanks. The item's diameter is 7.5" (19 cm) and is 3.5" (8 cm) deep. Great for a classic boat restoration project or possibly shore based applications!
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| Brass Tiller Yoke with Fitted Pulley Blocks - Superbly cast from solid brass, this would have been fitted to the top of the rudder on a rowing skiff, Admiral's barge or similar. We are unsure as to its date but possibly late 1800's. It makes a decorative nautical artefact in its own right but would also look amazing on an appropriate classic small craft - just the job for Henley! Measures 17" (43 cm)
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