Superb Mounted SS Anchises Crows Nest Alarm Bell & Twin handled Bellrope (c.1941)

This particular SS Anchises, was built in 1911 for the Ocean Steamship Co (Blue Funnel Line) in Belfast by Workman Clark Co Ltd.

During WW1, she was managed by the Royal Australian Navy, making five journeys from Australia as a troop ship. Commonwealth control ceased on 12 Oct 1917 when her management transferred to the British Admiralty.

She sadly met her fate during WW2, when on the 27th Feb 1941, about 180 miles W.N.W. of North Aran Island, Co., Donegal, the SS Anchises was bombed by German aircraft (Dornier Bomber). During this repeated attack, she lost power and 134 passengers and crew abandoned the ship in six life boats whilst 33 crew members remained on board to try to sail her to Liverpool. Whilst waiting for a salvage tug she was attacked again on 28 Feb 1941 and sank with the loss of 12 lives. The remaining survivors were rescued by HMS Kingcup and HMCS Assiniboine. She was only 70 miles short of the Mersey Estuary. In total, 12 members of the crew and three passengers were killed. One hundred and fifty-six were rescued

This original warning bell from the ships forward mast crows nest has bags of used patina and was removed prior to this voyage and replaced with a telephone as a precaution against U-boat attacks. The 8” x 8” bronze bell is mounted on solid oak (23” x 16”) with a bronze provenance cartouche, is also embossed with the ships name and has a twin handled Bellrope. The bell was also presented to Northampton Hall in 1967 where it resided until quite recently.

£1795

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