• Christies auction house James Christie logo

    Sale 4092

    Maritime Models

    London, South Kensington

    |

    25 May 2006

    Browse Sale
Previous Lot
Search
Next Lot
    • THE SHIP'S BELL FROM THE S.S.
    Lot 70

    THE SHIP'S BELL FROM THE S.S. GOLCONDA, 1888

    Price realised

    GBP 600

    Estimate

    GBP 500 - GBP 800

    Follow lot

    THE SHIP'S BELL FROM THE S.S. GOLCONDA, 1888
    cast in brass and inscribed S.S. GOLCONDA/1888/GLASGOW (lacks clapper and stock) -- 11½ x 15in. (29 x 38cm.)

    Contact us

    • Contact Client Service

      info@christies.com

      New York +1 212 636 2000

      London +44 (0)20 7839 9060

      infoasia@christies.com

      Asia +852 2760 1766

    Lot Essay

    Of all the many ships which have belonged to the British India Steam Navigation Company's impressive fleet during its long history, the second Golconda must rank as one of the most remarkable.

    Built as a speculation by Doxfords of Sunderland when their yards had some spare capacity in the mid-1880s, she was designed as a 2-decked whalebacked steamer and sported two funnels with a barquentine rig on four masts. Registered at 6,037 tons gross (3,960 net) and measuring 422 feet in length with a 48 foot beam, she was engined by her builders and achieved a speed of 13.9 knots on her trials. Her principal drawback was her inadequate passenger capacity -- only 80 First and 28 Second class -- which proved a major obstacle in selling her. Doxfords had initially hoped she might go to the Guion Line but when this came to nothing, she was offered to Canadian Pacific for their new Vancouver -- Hong Kong service; indeed, negotiations began so well that the vessel was launched on 8th February 1887 bearing the name of Transpacific. In the event, Canadian Pacific decided not to buy her and she was acquired by a Hull owner who renamed her Nulli Secondus, all of which took place whilst she was still unfinished. In August 1887, hearing that she might be available, the British India Steam Navigation Co. made an offer for her which was accepted and she was finally completed as Golconda (II) in December the same year.

    Entering service on British India's main London -- Calcutta route, she enjoyed twelve successful years as B.I.'s flagship which was only interrupted by a brief government charter as a transport during the Boer War. Once she resumed her civilian duties however, she began to look increasingly obsolete and her limited speed proved a drawback on such a prestigious run. In March 1913 therefore she was transferred to the East African service and, in October 1915, was requisitioned as an Indian Army transport. After several return voyages to Europe, she was en route to London from Middlesbrough when she was mined off Aldeburgh on 3rd June 1916 with the loss of 19 crew.

    Other information

    Special Notice

    No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
    This lot is subject to storage and collection charges. **For Furniture and Decorative Objects, storage charges commence 7 days from sale. Please contact department for further details.**


    Pre-Lot Text

    LINER

    PROPERTY OF A CORPORATE COLLECTION

    Recommended features

      • Antenna: The enduring friendsh
      • Antenna: The enduring friendship of Hepburn and Givenchy

        Ahead of an online sale that honours their close bond, Meredith Etherington-Smith​ traces the roots of a 40-year collaboration

      • Francis Bacon’s Study for Port
      • Francis Bacon’s Study for Portrait

        Francis Bacon's poignant celebration of George Dyer, the artist's most important subject, will star in Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale on 17 May

Share
Email
Copy link
Share
Email
Copy link