Ship’s Bell French Lines Steam Ship Wyoming Ca 1930 – 1943
Presented is a fine example of a vintage ship’s bell which is off one
of the French Lines two ships operated by Compagnie
Générale Transatlantique both of which were named WYOMING, but with different build dates.
of the French Lines two ships operated by Compagnie
Générale Transatlantique both of which were named WYOMING, but with different build dates.
The chain of ownership in the United States goes back at least 65 years. This coincides
with when the U.S. Navy commandeered the first Wyoming in February,1943 for service during the WW II. She was torpedoed
shortly after the transfer on March 12, 1943 by German underseaboot U-524 so it likely came off when the ship
was fitted with U.S. equipment before she departed for Casablanca from New York City.
with when the U.S. Navy commandeered the first Wyoming in February,1943 for service during the WW II. She was torpedoed
shortly after the transfer on March 12, 1943 by German underseaboot U-524 so it likely came off when the ship
was fitted with U.S. equipment before she departed for Casablanca from New York City.
The second Wyoming was not built until 1948 and was sold to the Japanese in 1961
and renamed “Seifu Maru”. She was sent to the ship breakers in 1974 which is only 34 years ago which is much shorter time
span then it was in the possession of the prior owners in this country.
and renamed “Seifu Maru”. She was sent to the ship breakers in 1974 which is only 34 years ago which is much shorter time
span then it was in the possession of the prior owners in this country.
Some people may say the bell belongs to the second vessel, but there is no reason for
the American owners not to be truthful as to when and how it was acquired because they originally thought it
was off our battleship USS WYOMING – BB 32. Other people may even think it is from another Wyoming entirely, but they miss
the significance of “La Harvre” being the port of registry which makes the bell definitely from a French registered ship.
the American owners not to be truthful as to when and how it was acquired because they originally thought it
was off our battleship USS WYOMING – BB 32. Other people may even think it is from another Wyoming entirely, but they miss
the significance of “La Harvre” being the port of registry which makes the bell definitely from a French registered ship.
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CHAIN OF U.S. OWNERSHIP: Junk yard, period unknown and New
York City fire department 25 years combined estimate, second owner 40 years, third owner 5 years, estimated total 65+ years.
York City fire department 25 years combined estimate, second owner 40 years, third owner 5 years, estimated total 65+ years.
DEMENSIONS: Diameter of crown 4 3/4″ Diameter of mouth 9 1/2″
Overall height 11 1/4″ Height of neck 3 1/4″
Weight 21 1/2 lbs
Weight 21 1/2 lbs
CONDITION: In excellent original condition with deeply
cast lettering.
cast lettering.
There are no foundry marks or a date and the original clapper is missing. A recent bronze
clapper, as pictured, will be furnished.
clapper, as pictured, will be furnished.
FRENCH LINES’ HISTORY: 
Wyoming (steel cargo-passenger ship) 1930 – 1943
hull material : ……………….steel
previous
name(s) of ship : ……..
detailed type : ……………….steel cargo-passenger ship
type of propulsion : …………..1
propeller
building year of ship : ………..1930
name of shipyard : …………….Bremer Vulcan
place of construction
: ………..Vegesack
year of entering the fleet : ……1930
length (in meters) : …………..143,00
width (in
meters) : ……………18,6
gross tonnage (in tons) : ………8061
deadweight (in tons) : …………10182
type
of engine : ………………inverted, triple expansion 4 LP cylinders divided off
engine power (in HP) : …………6000
nominal
speed (in Knots) : ……..14
Ship’s History: Fourth of a series of four ships.
Sisterships : OREGON (1929), WASHINGTON (1930), WISCONSIN (1930). Brought into service in March 1930. Assigned to the service
line of the North Pacific. Immobilized in New-Orleans in 1940, then she takes refuge in Marseilles. In 1941-42, makes
several round trip passages to the West Indies, from and to North Africa. In February 1943, in Casablanca, is commandeered
by the U.S. War Shipping Administration. On March 15, 1943, is torpedoed by the German submarine U524, while part of a convoy
from New York to Casablanca. No loss of life. U524 will in her turn be sunk by a plane eight days later.
Sisterships : OREGON (1929), WASHINGTON (1930), WISCONSIN (1930). Brought into service in March 1930. Assigned to the service
line of the North Pacific. Immobilized in New-Orleans in 1940, then she takes refuge in Marseilles. In 1941-42, makes
several round trip passages to the West Indies, from and to North Africa. In February 1943, in Casablanca, is commandeered
by the U.S. War Shipping Administration. On March 15, 1943, is torpedoed by the German submarine U524, while part of a convoy
from New York to Casablanca. No loss of life. U524 will in her turn be sunk by a plane eight days later.
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