EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBOriginal USS Squalus Silver 1938 Launch Day Christening Bottle Cage
About Seller
448 S. Pattie Ave
Wichita, KS 67211
United States
Nation’s Attic Incorporated is located in Wichita, KS. As a full time business we offer expert factory correct restoration & repair services for antique slot machines made from the 1880’s to 1950. Only dealing in authentic examples of antique slot machines, we are one of the few remaining full time ...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $100 | $10 |
| $250 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,500 | $250 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
About Auction
LiveApr 2, 2022
This auction features a lifetime collection of submarine memorabilia including the original christening bottle cage from the USS Squalus in 1938. Antique diving helmets and related equipment from around the world are also featured. Worldwide shipping on all items will be available. Nation's Attic Inc. helmets@nationsattic.com
View Full Catalog (310)
- Lot Description
If you are not familiar with the story of heroism, ingenuity, bravery, and sheer horror off the coast of New Hampshire in May 1939, then do a quick search for the USS Squalus. Books, movies, and countless historical essays have documented the events surrounding what is called the Greatest Submarine Rescue Ever.
The ceremony of launching a ship has been around for thousands of years. One of the oldest aspects of launching a vessel is christening it by breaking a bottle of champagne over its bow. A sponsor, typically always a female, would have the christening honor. When the USS Squalus was launched, the bottle was placed in a sterling silver cage to prevent injury from large pieces of glass. The sponsor would then be presented with the bottle cage in a handsome wood box.
On September 14th, 1938 the USS Squalus was ready for her launch day. The following account of that days events are told in the book The Short Life Of The Squalus by Carl LaVO
The boat was one of only two submarines to be launched in Kittery in 1938. Thus, the area was alive with anticipation. On The New Hampshire side of the river, opposite the ways, thousands packed the shire of Pierce Island. Spectators wedged onto the narrow, two-lane Memorial Bridge. Yard workers and visitors, some of whom had come great distances to witness the christening of every sub since the first in 1917, crammed the waterfront.
The Frank E. Booma Post American Legion band from Portsmouth played with patriotic fervor inside the ways as a covey of dignitaries arrived and climbed to the bunting-clad launch stand beneath the sharp bow of the vessel. Among them were Rear Adm. C.W. Cole, commandant of the yard, and the sponsor of the new submarine, Caroline Brownson Hart, the wife of Adm. Thomas C. Hart, president of the Navy General Board. Cole addressed the throng, praising the work that went into the boat, after which a yard representative present Mrs. Hart with a silver platter engraved with the submarines design. The shipyard chaplain then offered a prayer, followed by the raising of a warning flag at 1540.
The long blast of a Klaxon echoed loudly at 1543. On the launch stand, Mrs. Hart grasped the cord to a ceremonial bottle of champagne as workers began removing wedges that held the vessel in place on the skids. The submarine shivered as her great weight tugged at the loosening grip. Two bells sounded, alerting the sponsor to be ready. Then a single bell. A screech rose as the boat began to move. Now, Mrs. Hart! Yelled the building superintendent. With both hands, she swung the champagne against the hull. I christen the Squalus! When the bottle didn’t break, she swung again quickly and it shattered, sending a cascade of foam down the bow.
That account from The Short Life Of The Squalus gives a fantastic picture of the day and the importance of this one-of-a-kind piece of US Navy history.
After the ceremony, Mrs. Hart was present with the bottle cage in a nice presentation box. That original box will accompany the bottle. As mentioned in the account, Mrs. Hart was also presented with a silver engraved platter. Photos taken approximately 20 years of the platter will also be sent to the winner bidder. The platter was unfortunately stolen years ago and has never been recovered.
The silver bottle cage is engraved with the following:
U.S. Submarine
Squalus
Sponsor – Caroline Brownson Hart
Launched
Navy Yard Portsmith, N.H.
14 September 1938
The bottle cage measures 14 inches tall and is silver. The cage has not been polished in many years. Below the engraved portion 5 inches from the bottom are open stars, which allowed the champagne to flow out. A nice dent in the cage is visible directly below the engraved section. Incredibly, still inside the cage is the broken champagne bottle! Pieces of glass are loose, but the bottle appears mostly intact. The section of the American flag measures 41 inches long. The original flag section does have a few very minor holes from age.
The wood presentation case hinges open from the top. Inside is the original green felt and cradles holding the bottle level. The box measures 14.25 inches long, 6.375 inches deep and 6 inches tall. Two original keys are inside and the lock does still function.
Made in the last 20-30 years is the impressive marble and glass display the bottle rests in and is featured in many of the photos. Engraved into the heavy marble base is the names Squalus and Sailfish. The Squalus was renamed after her recovery. Also engraved on the opposite side is the name combination Squailfish. Flanking the center of the marble base are two original metal submarine models. The base of both models are engraved USS Squalus, N.Y. Portsmouth, NH. The actual bottle case rests in the center. Covering the entire display is a very thick and heavy glass dome. The design and construction of this display is world class.
Any objects in direct connection with the USS Squalus are extremely rare. In 2018 at a Amoskeag auction a Colt 1911 pistol issued to the USS Sailfish in 1940 sold for $30,000. There were 10 pistols issued to the Sailfish. Other historically significant objects that were in direct connection with the USS Squalus are likely in a museum to never enter the collector market.
This piece was acquired by our consignor approximately 20 years ago. Before his ownership, the cage was in a private collection along with the silver platter before it was stolen. Nations Attic will send a letter attesting to its authenticity and known history.
After the auction this can be picked up at Nations Attic facility in Wichita, KS. It can be shipped anywhere in the world. Full insurance and a signature upon delivery to a confirmed address will be required. - Shipping Info
-
Shipping fees listed with each lot pertain to domestic shipping only (contiguous or lower 48). International bidders are subject to higher shipping fees. Please inquire about shipping to a particular country before the start of the auction. Purchased items will be shipped on a first paid, first shipped basis and may take up to twenty (20) business days for said shipment to leave our (Nations Attic, Inc.) business. For time sensitive shipments, we (Nations Attic, Inc.) will expedite payment processing and shipping for a nominal fee. Items paid for by personal check are subject to a ten (10) business day hold for funds clearance. All domestic mainland items are shipped via FedEx ground or via USPS unless otherwise specified or requested by the customer. International shipments are shipped via DHL Express or FedEx Express. USPS is no longer used for international shipments due to issues with tracking packages. Insurance: All items are insured for the full purchase amount less carrier shipping charges, or the maximum amount allowed by the carrier and/or country of destination. Insurance is included in the specified shipping amount listed in the shipping section of the final invoice pricing. All invoices are sent with insurance already factored into the shipping charge. The customer has the right to waive any insurance amount by providing written consent that the customer will not hold Nations Attic, Inc. or its shipping carriers responsible for damaged and/or lost shipments due to uninsured/under insured packages. In some instances, we (Nations Attic, Inc.) reserve the right to only ship certain items if insurance is purchased for the full amount of the item(s) being shipped.
-
- Payment & Auction Policies
-
Available payment options
-
-
- Buyer's Premium
