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Description

Authentic WWI German torpedo gyroscope from the U-Boat 53. 

 
Dimensions:
Height: 8 ½ inches with the foot. 
Width: 8 inches.
Depth: 6 ½ inches. 
Weight: circa 7 kilos. 


Description:
An authentic German WW1 naval brass torpedo gyroscope from the famous German U-boat, U-53, launched in 1916 , surrendered in 1918 and broken up at Swansea, United Kingdom in 1919. Mounted on brass foot and marked with series numbers. 

Inscribed on the brass plate: Gyroscope taken from torpedo of German submarine U 53. Presented to Capt. H. Leighton Davies. With compliments from Ship Breaking Co, Swansea. March 1920.

A very rare and historical object from the U-53.  Her first captain was Hans Rose, one of the most successful and highly decorated German U-boat commander in the Kaiserliche Marine during World War I. The U-53 was responsible for the sinking of the USS Jacob Jones, SS Georgia, as well as 87 merchant ships. ( Please read its fascinating history below) A certificate of authenticity will be included with this work.  


Condition:
In excellent condition.  (See photos.)



History of SM U-53:
The SM U-53 ( Seiner Majestät Unterseeboot  53/ His Majesty's Submarine) was one of the six Type U 51 U-boats of the Imperial German Navy during the First World War. She was ordered from Germaniawerft, Kiel in 1914 and launched in 1916. She was commissioned under her first commander Hans Rose in 1916. Hans Rose became the 5th ranked German submarine ace of World War I sinking USS Jacob Jones and 87 merchant ships. Rose's first patrol with U-53 was to Newport, Rhode Island. U-53 entered Newport harbor on the morning of 7 October 1916. Rose paid courtesy visits to Rear Admiral Austin M. Knight, Commandant of the United States Second Naval District, and Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves aboard the cruiser USS Birmingham; and then received courtesy visits from both admirals aboard U-53. It took the neutral American government about two hours to decide how to handle this surprise visit. When the harbor master started talking about quarantine regulations, Rose returned to sea to avoid being interned. U-53 commenced military operations the next morning two miles off the Lightship Nantucket. The American steamer Kansan was stopped by a shot across the bow at 0535, and then released when examination of her papers revealed no contraband cargo. A large passenger liner was allowed to pass at 06:00 because Rose felt unable to provide for the safety of a large number of passengers. The 4,321-ton British steamer Strathdene was stopped at 06:53 and torpedoed at 07:43 after the crew had abandoned ship. The 3,878-ton Norwegian steamer Christian Knutsen with a cargo of diesel oil for London was stopped at 08:03 and torpedoed at 0953 after the crew had abandoned ship. The 3,847-ton steamer West Point was stopped at 1130 and sunk by explosive charges after the crew had abandoned ship. Hans Rose used his last torpedoes to sink Blommersdyk at 19:50 and Stephano at 22:30. Rose set a homeward course via the Gulf Stream and evaded three British destroyers sent from Canada to intercept him. In the summer of 1917 German naval artist Claus Bergen accompanied U-53 on an Atlantic patrol, resulting in a series of well-known paintings. On the 5th of December 1917 he sank the US destroyer USS Jacob Jones and about 30 minutes after Jacob Jones sank, the German submarine surfaced and took on the American sailors on board. Rose had also radioed the American base at Queenstown with the approximate coordinates of the sinking before departing the area. Hans Rose was relieved by Otto von Schrader in 1918. The U-53 operated primarily within the English Channel after this, attacking Allied and neutral vessels. Von Schrader sank ten more ships of 1,782 tons with U-53 before the armistice on 11 November. U-53 was surrendered to the Allies at Harwich on 1 December 1918 in accordance with the requirements of the Armistice with Germany. She was sold by the British Admiralty and was broken up at Swansea, United Kingdom.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Shipping fees:

United States/ Canada: 40 dollars. ( delivery time: About 3 - 5 working days.)

European union  : Free shipping. ( delivery time: About About 2 - 3 working days.)

United Kingdom : Free shipping.

Due to the UK leaving the EU on the 31st December 2020, items purchased will be subject to 20% VAT, which shall be paid by the UK buyer, and collected by the parcel operator.   We regret, we are no longer able to ship items sold for less than £135 to the UK.

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