Item of Interest

[robins2]

I was given the attached model of Barrel, it came from an English Family estate, they immigrated to Canada in the early 1900's

in case the printing on plaque does not come out in photo, it reads

FROM THE TEAK OF

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH

DARDANELLES 1915

EARL BEATTYS FLAG SHIP GRAND FLEET 1917

[headgardener]

This is an example of one of several souvenir pieces made (as the label says) from the teak of great British battleships. There was a range of 'objects' made when the ships were broken up in the late 20's or early 30's. They all carry the same sort of metal 'label' that is visible on your item.

To the best of my knowledge there were only 2 ships that were used to produce these souvenirs; the Queen Elizabeth and the Iron Duke (in which case the label says; "Jutland 1916/Admiral Jellicoe's flagship"). I personally have this barrell, plus a blotter, a fire screen (for guarding an open fire, and several other bits and pieces. They're not uncommon, in my experience. Though having said that, I generally come across pieces of the Iron Duke.

[Sepoy]

Please find attached a photograph of a letter opener made from the teak of HMS Valiant (A Queen Elizabeth class Battleship - launched in November, 1914)

[centurion]

That particular Valiant was not scrapped until 1948 which would suggest the letter opener is from a different date to the other souvenirs.

[ph0ebus]

These sorts of items come up on eBay with some regularity, and usually at an affordable price. I have been thinking of picking one up but have other items on my wish list ahead of that particular purchase.

-Daniel

[Kath]

I have barrels from the teak of HMS Warspite, Iron Duke, Ormonde, Victory, & a barrel shaped money box from HMS Victory.

A search for 'barrel' will give previous threads.

Kath.

[per ardua per mare per terram]

That particular Valiant was not scrapped until 1948 which would suggest the letter opener is from a different date to the other souvenirs.

All the Queen Elizabeth class, with the exception of Barham, were scrapped after WW2. His Majesty's Ship Valiant was damaged at Jutland, refitted inter war and damaged again in WW2, so there were many opportunities for souvenirs to be produced from her actual teak. There were other teak ships broken up post WW1 that may have been recycled.

[robins2]

All the Queen Elizabeth class, with the exception of Barham, were scrapped after WW2. His Majesty's Ship Valiant was damaged at Jutland, refitted inter war and damaged again in WW2, so there were many opportunities for souvenirs to be produced from her actual teak. There were other teak ships broken up post WW1 that may have been recycled.

who produced the souveniers, private companies or the Royal navy???

[27thBN]

Hi you learn something new every day ,nice items thanks for the post

MC

[robins2]

Hi you learn something new every day ,nice items thanks for the post

MC

this is a great forum so much info, so little time???

what medals do you collect, I have a couple of hundred in my collection (Canadian/Commonwealth) German WW1 & WW11, also now collecting trench art

[David B]

I bet those barrels were not carved by hand in some sailors mess. Beautifully made, but the teak must have come from very thick planks, didn't

realise that it was that thick.

David

[ph0ebus]

Just bought a barrel made from the Iron Duke.

-Daniel

[Ghost]

Sun loungers, patio furniture, rolling pins, all manor of items have been made by demolition companies in the U.K. If you ever visit the Houses of parliment you will find seats from Her Majestys Yacht Enchantress on the verandah. Souveniers were big buisiness to the yards, wooden warships, steel warships, passenger ships, any ship, some one wants a souvenier, and the yards catered for it. Cruet sets were a big seller when I de-stored some of the old P&O ships, crockery, cutlery, linen and even matteresses sold unbelievably well in Southampton. Today on e-bay you can still find items from the latest R.F.A. ships to be demolished, and builders plates from ships or the machinery of ships are collectors pieces, to me they were scrap brass $$$.

Alan

[T8HANTS]

Cruet sets were a big seller when I de-stored some of the old P&O ships, crockery, cutlery, linen and even matteresses sold unbelievably well in Southampton.

Yes when I was first married, some of our blankets were ex P&O from a well known yard down around St Mary's. Piles of slowly corroding cruets, mountains of crockery, rumour had it there were piles of White Star line down the far end long buried in other junk.

G