Authentic US Navy Bells and Commercial Ship Bells

The bells pictured below almost certainly rang 8 bells at some point or another.  You can be sure that the bell you purchase from THE Ship in a Bottle is of the highest quality and accurately represented in photographs and descriptions.  A distinguishing feature - each of my bells come with the premium bell rope pictured with the bell.

US Navy Bells

WWI - WWII Pearl Harbor Defender

Foredeck Bell from the Destroyer USS Chew (DD-106)

$1,295.00

Item# BELL-0001

First commissioned 12 December, 1918 for WWI, USS Chew was soon decommissioned 1 June, 1922.  She was recomissioned 14 October, 1940 and placed into service for WWII,

Chew was berthed at pier X-Ray 5 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  A report from the Commanding Officer, USS Chew, to the Commandant of the FOURTEENTH Naval District dated 10 December, 1942 states that one Japanese airplane was shot down and another hit, Two subsurface contacts were also destroyed by Chew.

"One direct hit was scored by the 3" gun crew, disintegrating the plane in mid-air. . . evidence indicated that two submarines were sunk."  Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/ph32.htm

USS Chew was decommissioned 15 October, 1945 and sold to Spain.  A company was hired to remove anything with "US" on it including this incredibly beautiful bell.

This historic bell comes complete with the premium bell rope and base support pictured.  The base itself is a one of a kind solid wooden base covered with canvas duck and ornamental rope work custom made by THE Ship in a Bottle. 

Return Policy:

If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase you may return it, if undamaged, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. All Returns shall be insured for their full purchase value. Refunds for shipping and insurance paid on the initial purchase cannot be given and return shipping is at the cost of the buyer. Please contact us by email first to obtain return authorization.

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WW-I Era Authentic US Navy Bell

This is a beautiful WW-I era US Navy Bell in excellent condition

$650.00 Item # BELL-0004

Although the history of this beautiful bell may never be known, it is certain to have tolled in the defense of our country. Ring patterns and lettering on this very rare bell indicates casting prior to late 1920s with estimates are circa 1910. This authentic US navy bell will polish up beautifully if that is your choice but it is being sold as is with the rich dark gray-bronze patina. This bell is in unbelievably good condition with no significant scratches or pitting.  Rings around the top and bottom of the bases of the bell are very prominent.  There are some very tiny paint splatters on the surface (see photos). The bell comes complete with a custom bell rope, stainless steel thimble, and shackle as shown in the photographs.  This veteran is 9-7/8 inches across by 10-1/2 inches tall and weigh approximately 22 pounds.  Hear its wonderful tone and watch it in action in the video below. Be sure to take note of the resonance.  The sustained ring can be heard for at least 20 seconds after the last stroke. 

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Return Policy:

If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase you may return it, if undamaged, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. All Returns shall be insured for their full purchase value. Refunds for shipping and insurance paid on the initial purchase cannot be given and return shipping is at the cost of the buyer. Please contact us by email first to obtain return authorization.

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WW-II Era Authentic US Navy Bell

This awesome bell has a deep bronze colored patina

The origin of this bell is unknown but it is classic WW-II vintage. As with many other bells found on the market, the ship this bell was recovered from cannot be determined. Rings around the top and bottom of the bases of the bell are very prominent. This beautiful bell will certainly add a touch of class and nautical charm wherever it is displayed. It measures 9-7/8 inches across by 10-1/2 inches high.  It comes complete with mounting hardware and clapper as shown.  The clapper was removed for the photo to display markings on the top of the bell.  There are a few very tiny paint splatters and some discoloration from stain.  This fantastic WW-II Bell is in excellent condition and is an incredibly fine example of a bell of this period.

$650.00 Item # BELL-008

Item # Bell-0008

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Cast Iron US Navy Bell

This classic bell is in very good condition and has been very well preserved.  Cast in iron with raised lettering U.S.N. and Harvard Lock Company.  Bells during this period of WW-II were cast in iron as a result of an emergency order from Washington limiting the use of bronze and brass to actual combat essentials. It weighs approximately 18 pounds and is 10 inches tall by 9-1/2 inches across. Please see the video below for this beautiful bell and listen as it rings 8 bells!

$125.00

Item # Bell-0006

Return Policy:

If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase you may return it, if undamaged, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. All Returns shall be insured for their full purchase value. Refunds for shipping and insurance paid on the initial purchase cannot be given and return shipping is at the cost of the buyer. Please contact us by email first to obtain return authorization.

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Beautiful Bronze Bell – Commercial Fisherman

This bell was purchased from a nautical antiques dealer in the British Isles.

This classic bell is in very good condition and has an even patina. The bell is reported to have been removed from a commercial fishing vessel of the United Kingdom. It weighs approximately 26 pounds and is 10 inches tall by 10 inches across. Much like the cast US Navy bronze bells above, this heavy bell has a wonderful tone that resonates for quite some time. Please see the video for this beautiful bell and listen to its wonderful tone as it strikes 8 bells!

$250.00

Item # Bell-0007

Return Policy:

If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase you may return it, if undamaged, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. All Returns shall be insured for their full purchase value. Refunds for shipping and insurance paid on the initial purchase cannot be given and return shipping is at the cost of the buyer. Please contact us by email first to obtain return authorization.

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Huge Brass Bell with Mounting Hardware (Photos and purchase opportunity will soon be available).

This very large and heavy brass bell comes complete with the mounting hardware pictured here.

The bell is reported to have been removed from Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach, VA although this has not been confirmed.

The Bell weighs a whopping 90 pounds (approximate) and is xxxxxxxxxxx inches tall by xxxxxxxxxxxxx inches wide (mounting hardware not included in dimensions). It comes complete with the original bell rope pictured or if you prefer, I will replace it with your choice of one of our custom bell ropes at no additional charge.

Shipping charges to continental United States are included in the purchase price of this fascinating bell.

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US Navy Replica Bells

Our US Navy replica bells include our custom made bell rope complete with a stainless steel thimble. These heavy bells have a rich tone and are engraved with 1 inch letters "U.S.N."  The bells are 7 inches wide at the mouth, 7 inches tall (these dimensions are bell only, not inclusive of the mounting hardware). The bell with mounting hardware, clapper, and custom made bell rope weigh approximately 5 pounds.  These bells are imported from India and much heavier than those of the same size (brass over aluminum) typically found on the internet.

ITEM# BELL-R007

$79.95

WWII Bell - USS Absacon (AVP-23), 1943-1949

This beautiful bell has been very well cared for and is in outstanding condition. (SOLD)

This small piece of american history has a wonderfully even tempered patina with 3/4" letters "USN" cast into the bell. Overall dimensions of the bell are 6-1/2" wide by 5" tall.  Considering the mounting hardware, overall height is 6-1/2" tall.  The bell and mounting hardware weighs approximately 5.5 Lbs.

USS Absecon, a 1,766-ton Barnegat-class small seaplane tender, was built at Houghton, Washington, and was commissioned in January 1943. During construction, she was specially fitted with twin cranes and a catapult to serve as a training ship for battleship and cruiser-based aviation units. After shakedown training on the west coast, she arrived at Mayport, Florida, in March 1943 and commenced intensive duty in support of the Operational Training Unit at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. She assisted in qualifying pilots and served as a target for torpedo runs. In September 1943 she shifted her base of operations to Port Everglades, Florida, where she continued the same duty. During 1944 and the first half of 1945 she was struck by exercise torpedoes at least five times. In July 1945 she moved to Pensacola, Florida, where she provided support to observation aircraft training units. She was decommissioned in March 1947 and placed in reserve.

Absecon was loaned to the Coast Guard in January 1949 and served as the cutter Absecon (WAVP-374, later WHEC-374), primarily on weather station duty out of Norfolk, Virginia, through 1971. She was transferred to South Vietnam in July 1972 as Tham Ngu, was seized by North Vietnam in April 1975, and was reportedly still in service in the Vietnamese Navy in 2000. Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-a/avp23.htm

$199.99

ITEM# BELL-0002

 

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Loeffler Bronze Ship Bells

 Loeffler bells are cast from silicon bronze and produce a rich, loud sound. This bell comes with a polished finish and is supplied complete with a clapper, bolt, nut, washer, hanging bracket, and my custom tied premium bell rope (pictured below). The bell is made to MIL-B-674C specifications with the letters cast on them. All Loeffler bells are USCG accepted.

Genuine Loeffler US Navy Bell
ITEM# BELL-0003 $139.95

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Now this is a bell !!!

Ship's Bell - USS Constitution

The following information is the courtesy of:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Disposition and continuing Navy use

In addition to its shipboard roles, the bell serves a ceremonial and memorial function after the ship has served its Navy career.

U.S. Navy bells are part of the many artifacts removed from decommissioned vessels preserved by the Naval Historical Center. They may be provided on loan to new namesake ships; naval commands with an historical mission or functional connection; and to museums and other institutions that are interpreting specific historical themes and displays of naval history.  Bells remain the permanent property of the US Government and the Department of the Navy. These serve to inspire and to remind our naval forces and personnel of their honor, courage, and commitment to the defense of our nation.

 

Maintenance and upkeep

Traditionally, the bell is maintained by the ship's cook, while the ship's whistle is maintained by the ship's bugler.

In actual practice, the bell is maintained by a person of the ship's division charged with the upkeep of that part of the ship where the bell is located. In such a case a deck seaman or quartermaster striker or signalman striker may have the bell-shining duty.

 

Bells in religious ceremonies

The bell's connection to religious origins continues. Originating in the British Royal Navy, it is a custom to baptize a child under the ship's bell; sometimes the bell is used as a christening bowl, filled with water for the ceremony. Once the baptism is completed, the child's name may be inscribed inside the bell.  The bell remains with the ship while in service and with the Department of the Navy after decommissioning. In this way, an invisible tie is created between the country, the ship and its citizens.

 

Navy Ceremonies and Events

 

The bell is used to signal the presence of important persons.  When the ship's captain, a flag officer, or other important person arrives or departs, watch standers make an announcement to the ship and ring the bell.  This tradition extends to major naval command transitions, often held aboard vessels associated with the command.

 

Safety and Communication

The sounding of a ship's bell found a natural application as a warning signal to other vessels in poor visibility and fog. In 1676 one Henry Teonage serving as a chaplain in the British Mediterranean Fleet recorded , "so great a fog that we were fain to ring our bells, beat drums, and fire muskets often to keep us from falling foul one upon another". Ringing a ship's bell in fog became customary. In 1858, British Naval Regulations made it mandatory in that function. Today, maritime law requires all ships to carry an efficient bell.

American ships of the Revolutionary War period and our early national years adopted many of the practices and traditions of the British Royal Navy, including the use of bells. In 1798, Paul Revere cast a bell weighing 242 pounds for the frigate Constitution, also known today by its nickname "Old Ironsides".

It is of interest to note that the use of a ship's bell contributed to the richest single prize captured by the American Navy during the War of Independence. While a Continental Squadron under Commodore Whipple lay-to, wrapped in Newfoundland fog in a July morning in 1779, the sound of ships' bells and an occasional signal gun could be heard a short distance off. When the fog lifted the Americans discovered that they had fallen in with the richly-laden enemy Jamaica Fleet. Ten ships were captured as prizes, which - together with their cargo - were valued at more than a million dollars.

Timekeeping

Before the advent of the chronometer time at sea was measured by the trickle of sand through a half - hour glass. One of the ship's boys had the duty of watching the glass and turning it when the sand had run out. When he turned the glass, he struck the bell as a signal that he had performed this vital function. From this ringing of the bell as the glass was turned evolved the tradition of striking the bell once at the end of the first half hour of a four hour watch, twice after the first hour, etc., until eight bells marked the end of the four hour watch. The process was repeated for the succeeding watches. This age-old practice of sounding the bell on the hour and half hour has its place in the nuclear and missile oriented United States Navy at the dawn of the Twenty-First Century, regulating daily routine, just as it did on our historic vessels under sail in the late Eighteenth Century.