Lot 2549

Description

Clock, a marine clock by Prescot Clock Co, Prescot c.1910, reputed to be from the Engine Room of the WWI battle Cruiser HMAS Australia.

Together with letter from a Mr. James Wilson dated 21.7.1994. It states in part 'My father was a marine engineer employed by the Commonwealth Government Dockyards at Garden Islands in Sydney Harbor (sic). Together with a few other Dockyard workers, he helped prepare the '(HMAS) Australia' for scuttling in April 1924. When they had finished, the senior naval officer present at the time on the vessel thanked them for their efforts and as everything then aboard was to go down with 'Australia' gave each a memento of the ship. My father was given the engine room clock, which he had mounted in a timber frame. It graced our mantelpiece from then on.' The lot also includes a detailed account of the life and service of the HMAS Australia.