WWII Molly Pitcher '1943' Ship Hatch Whale Form Anchor Nautical Coffee Table

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WWII Molly Pitcher '1943' Ship Hatch Whale Form Anchor Nautical Coffee Table

About the Item

Vintage custom-made Reclaimed Ship Hatch Coffee Table from the Maiden Voyage of the Sunken American Steam Merchant Ship "Molly Pitcher" (WWII, 1943). This custom table was created from the ship hatch of the Molly Pitcher by Ron Jon Hatchboards. The base is constructed of an iron ship anchor and chain link (not believed to be from the Molly Pitcher) with the solid wood top shaped in the form of a whale. The brass plaque on the top reads "2085 Molly Pitcher Launched 2-43 Sunk by Submarine U 521 in N. Atlantic 38.21 N 19.54 W, Ron Jon Hatchboards Ship Bottom, N.J." "17 March 1943, U-167 (Sturm) fired one T-3 and three FAT torpedoes at the convoy UGS-6 about 500 miles west of Lisbon and heard one detonation after 3 minutes and sinking noises. The Molly Pitcher (Master David Martin Bailie) on her maiden voyage... was struck by one torpedo on the port side.... The blast damaged the forward bulkhead...resulting in the flooding of both compartments. The helmsman deserted the wheel and the ship veered to port toward the center of the convoy. After getting the ship under control, the master ordered the eight officers, 34 crewmen, 27 armed guards ...to abandon ship. They left the vessel with great confusion in three lifeboats and by jumping overboard, the engines still running and leaving 17 men behind. Two officers and two armed guards drowned. The ship began making circles and those left on board under command of the third mate...66 survivors were rescued by USS Champlin (DD 601), the American steam merchant William Johnson and USS Rowan (DD 405) and landed at Casablanca on 20 and 21 March. The license of the master was later suspended on a charge of misconduct. USS Champlin (DD 601) tried to scuttle the Molly Pitcher by a torpedo, but the ship remained afloat and was sunk by a coup de grâce from U-521 at 05.50 hours on 18 March." Link to information about the ship: http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/2808.html.

Dimensions:
Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
Style:
Folk Art (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron,Wood
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1970-1979
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1970
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Surface scratches and normal paint loss.
Seller Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU93416520903