MARTIFACTS NEWSLETTER-FEBRUARY 2011

Greetings,

After a tough winter, February is time to consider coming out of hibernation.  This month we have a few items that may find a place onboard your boat.

NAVIGATION LIGHTS FOR YOUR RESTORATION BOAT - We had a set of these lamps available last year and now we have another set of four oil navigation lights made by Tung Woo, Hong Kong, which  was a respected marine lamp provider that now seems to be out of business.  For those who are restoring an old boat, these are ideal to create an older impression.  We have a set of four small copper navigation lights.  The set comprises a pair of sidelights, a masthead light, and an anchor light.  They are oil lamps and are about 8” high, and have clear, smooth lenses, as opposed to typical fresnel lenses.  Some might think that these are reproductions, but Tung Woo made the large lamps for ships as well as these smaller lights. For your assurance we have a Tung Woo catalog, and you can see them pictured and described. Several years ago I found Tung Woo¹s location in Hong Kong, but saw only one lit bulb inside.  We tried to call without answer and presume that it is out of business as is Hop Lee, another excellent Hong Kong lamp manufacturer. One lamp has a small crimp on a back corner, but it does not hamper their use or appearance viewed from the front.  The oil lamps can be removed and replaced with 12-volt fixtures.  We sell all four as a set only, priced at $395.  We also have two small Tung Woo oil lamps -one marked not under command and the other anchor.  The NUC lamp has a red liner, which can be removed and the light can serve as an anchor light.  No boat?  They fit nicely in a bookshelf in your library or den. About 8” high, they are priced at $95 each.

It is about time to consider summer cruising, so you may want a backup for your GPS.  This is an excellent sextant that was owned by a blue water tug master with its original mahogany case and its original bill of sale.  Grace Lines in New York bought it new in 1950.  The index mirror has several very small black spots, while the index mirror has two small spots near the edge, so these will be suitable for further use.  It has a 4 X 40 telescope in good condition.  The index filters are in good shape but two are missing their small handles, while the horizon mirrors are in good shape.  The arm works freely, but the micrometer drum has one crack.  The paint on the frame is about intact. It has not been illuminated. I believe this sextant was not used after the captain’s retirement, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to have it calibrated.  The case has solid mahogany wood sides and top, but the bottom has been replaced by a plywood piece.  The case has been restored.  We have several European and Japanese sextants of lesser price, but their condition requires more effort.  This sextant is priced at. $525.

SS UNITED STATES – As you might know, Martifacts has a collection of items from only one of the great passenger liners – the Big U.  Many years ago, we were invited by the then owners to visit the ship in Norfolk and pluck some treasures still aboard after the famous auction in the early 1980s.  Soon after we realized that passenger memorabilia was a world unto itself and we confined our collection exclusively to the SS US.  The SS US was sold this month. We received the following from one of our broker friends:

"The sale of the S.S. UNITED STATES …has now been completed and delivery has taken place.

The new Owners, the S.S. UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY, intend to have the vessel redeveloped as a multipurpose waterfront destination with hotel,

retail, educational and museum features.

The S.S. UNITED STATES, built by Newport News in 1952, was the last of the great Transatlantic passenger liners and remained in service until 1969.  On the westbound leg of her maiden voyage she maintained an average speed of 34-1/2 knots, a record which remains unbroken.  Latterly she has been laid

up in Philadelphia, where delivery took place."

In honor of this significant step toward preservation of a legend, we have, from the ship – a butter chip dish from the dining rooms (remember the butter pats?).

It measures 3-1/2 in. diameter and is of the International Silver Co. pattern used for all the silver soldered serving pieces aboard.  Marked on the underside US Lines and a date.  It is perfect size for a coaster.  $60 each.  Or – one of the “suitable for framing” menu covers used aboard – the United Nations building in Menu covers are only $6 each.  We also include several copies of typical menus from the ship. 

We also have several original menus that came from the ship, and are priced at $12 each.

LIONEL TYPE LIFEBOAT COMPASS - We have a Navy type lifeboat compass which of the style typically made by Lionel, the famed toy train maker.  Marine Compass of Boston, which was the predecessor of Ritchie, made this compass a well-known current compass maker.  We stripped it down to the original copper base, and buffed the surfaces.  It is complete with a match drawer (located under the oil lamp), oil lamp and the original 4” gimbaled compass.  This is priced at $450.

We also have a similar lifeboat compass, but it does not have the match drawer and oil lamp, and it is missing the slide latch for the side door.  It has a number of dings, which really provides character.  It has its original 4” compass.  The price is $375.

BAROMETERS – If you are planning to sail offshore it would be very useful to have a good reliable barometer and ashore this will allow you to get a jump on the next hurricane season.  To test a barometer you may place it in a plastic bag, blow in it, seal it by holding the end and press on the bag.  If the barometer moves, it indicates that it works.  As our barometers are used and are of marine type they are provided with the ability to compensate them.  We have over twenty European and British barometers that work, with brass cases, while we only have two U.S. made marine barometers.  They are not mercury barometers so can readily be shipped.  The barometers have various indications, such as inches in mercury (Hg), millimeters in Hg, and millibars.  Many have both scales, and most have 6” faces.    We have a good selection of barometers ranging from $170 to $220.

SCKELL BRIDGE AND ENGINE ROOM TELEGRAPHS - These are not exactly appropriate for a small boat, or yacht, but this is a unique opportunity to have a set of telegraphs for your home or office.  This is a double face German made electric telegraph that has a heavy brass cast base and head.  The finish is a relatively rough finish as opposed to the machined surfaces of the other telegraphs.  It is about 41 ½” high and the head is 14” wide.  It has been rewired and rigged so a buzzer will sound when the handle is moved.  Usually there is a ring or buzzer when the engine room responds to the bridge order.  It is priced at $2395.

We have almost forgotten about this, but we tripped over it while looking for something else.  It is a huge telegraph made by Sckell, a German company (we also have the bridge end telegraph).  It seemed that they included a good part of the ship, as it is indeed heavy.  It is made of cast steel, has chrome trim and is usually mounted on a stanchion in the engine room.  Like we mentioned earlier these are no longer used, as these are only used with the manual control of the engine.    With bridge engine control, these telegraphs are no longer needed. It is priced at $300.  It has its own packing crate and would require shipping freight due to its weight.  These pieces may be too big for homes but for preservation of a forgotten nautical piece could be considered as a donation to your favorite maritime museum. 

SHIPS PLANS - When I was in the marine business we accumulated a number of plans of ships that were used to evaluate their suitability for our business.  Almost all of the plans refer to tankers or tank barges and came from the 1970’s and 1980’s.  Since 1989 and the EXXON VALDES event, an international agreement was developed that required tankers to have double hulls.  Most of the ships plans we have are for single hull ships, but the other features are generally similar.  We have some capacity plans, which usually have an arrangement of the ship cargo spaces and table of tank capacities, while others carry more detail such as a plan of the quarters.  There are also some general arrangement plans, which carry details of each deck, including details about the quarters.  Another version is an outline specification, which is a written description of the ship’s major systems, including its machinery.  Some include either a general arrangement or capacity plan.  Of interest is a set of outline specifications various size tankers (from about 30000 tons to 130000 tons), together with general arrangement plans prepared by Astilleros Espanoles, a Spanish shipbuilding marketing organization.

            General arrangement or capacity plan                                                  $5

            Outline specification and Gen. Arrangement or capacity plan            $8

            Astilleros Espanoles outline spec. and plan                                       $10

METAL CLEANER, POLISH AND LACQUER - When asked “how do you clean and maintain brass and silver?” we can only say what works for us.  We use and make available the following:
               Metal Polish per tube                  $9.95
               Metal Cleaner per spray bottle   $11.00
               Lacquer Type Spray Can           $19.95

NOTES:

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE CHANGED TO:  martifacts@gmail.com   and no longer have the old comcast address. 

When we write about items in the newsletter or when you find items on the website, it does not imply that there is a quantity available.  In most cases we have only one.  Sometimes months after people have seen an item, they call and we can only say that it has been sold some time earlier.  If you see something of interest, drop a line or give us a call at 904-645-0150.  Depending on the hour, you might get our old-fashioned, in-house answering machine but chances are you will get a human.  

If you have any questions please send an email to us at info@martifacts.com or martifacts@gmail.com. For copies of earlier newsletters, please send an email and we will forward them.

Prices vary depending on our acquisition cost and condition.  Prices stated in earlier issues of the newsletter may not apply to similar items mentioned in later newsletters.

If you screen your email to eliminate spam, please check to see that Martifacts newsletters are allowed.

We can now accept payment via PAYPAL, after advising shipping costs, etc.  Paypal payment is to be made via martifacts@aol.com.  Remember that any sales made in the state of Florida are subject to sales tax, which is 7% for Duval County.

Best regards,
Ray Newman