Topic starter
12/11/2006 2:24 pm
I happened upon this ebay item. It claims to be an authentic bell from a sternwheel steamboat, and was salvaged in 1965. The design of the bell's base (for fastening to a deck) and its crank arms make me think it might be authentic. They don't say what boat it was from, assuming they know. Here is the link:
Bell on ebay
12/11/2006 5:27 pm
It sure does look authentic, look on page 137 of TOWBOAT RIVER at the picture of the Str. THOMAS MOSES' BELL. The mount is a dead ringer of the one on Ebay. Also 1965 is the in the correct time period because back then there were several sternwheel towboats languishing in various boneyards, such as Zubics in Pittsburgh and Beatty's in Cincinnati. My bet is the bell on Ebay is authentic.
12/11/2006 11:44 pm
I can hear Keith getting out his Master Card now and getting ready to bid it up, and he won't even be on line until in the morning!
13/11/2006 12:34 pm
Nope! Already have one in my collection!
13/11/2006 3:27 pm
On my way to check it out on eBay, I found that it had already been withdrawed from bidding. Time 11/13/06 10:28 AM.
Ed Ray
Topic starter
13/11/2006 3:41 pm
Yesterday I asked the seller if they knew the name of the boat it was off of. They said they were selling it for someone else, and would ask and get back to me. But I have yet to get an answer on that. If they know its history, then it should probably be in a museum!
13/11/2006 4:25 pm
Or back at work on a boat. It would make a great roof bell on the NEW DAY that already has three, maybe four, bells aboard already, but none that exciting.
13/11/2006 6:06 pm
Hi, Steve & gang:
Re: The 'mystery bell' appearing on ebay. I took a quick look but, gosh, couldn't tell much. Looks interesting. I am curious if the present owners of the bell ever identified any engravings, castings or serial numbers either on the bell's crown, mounting or on the underside of the lip? The VERDIN, VANDUZEN, COFFIN--or any other names--could help. Hard also telling if the bell is a 'stock item' or one commissioned for the original purpose.
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick
13/11/2006 7:39 pm
Harumph, it looks more like a fine railroad locomotive bell to me. If it was a steamboat's roof bell, it must have been a fairly small boat.
13/11/2006 10:10 pm
Steamboat colleagues:
Frank opines "a locomotive bell." Hmmm, I looked again but didn't want to say the same earlier on as I'm no expert in bell types. Frank could have a good point. Why? The 'double swing rockers' on the bell are reminiscent of similar devices seen on some locomotives [*Note I'm sticking to legal disclaimer terms]. A wire or chain was run from each rocker along either side of the locomotive to the cab. The engineer sat at one window and his assistant or fireman on the other. The bell could be tugged and rung by one of the other without moving to the side where the engineer sat. Jim Herron may be able to nail it if he opens and reads this thread. Heck, what do I know?
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick
Topic starter
13/11/2006 11:07 pm
If the seller ever replies to my question about where the bell came from, I'll pass it along. Sure, I suppose it could be from a locomotive, but it also could be from a steamboat. If the bell's history has been lost (as so often happens), then it may be anyone's guess. I simply posted the ebay link as FYI to this message board.....
14/11/2006 3:24 am
I think it's a toss-up as to whether it came from a locomotive or a boat. If the base is concave or rounded, I would say definitely a locomotive bell. If it's flat, chances are it came from a boat. I just can't tell for sure from the photos. If it is from a locomotive, it's probably a fairly old one, perhaps the 1890's-1905 because it has no provision for an air ringer, just the two arms to attach a rope. It might even have been on a locomotive originally and then later used on a boat. The cradle or yoke is unusual for a locomotive, though. Whatever, it's a very nice bell and well worth the $500 he's asking.
I'd go for it myself but I already have three locomotive bells.