Bell, Ship's

One alarm bell from the SS William Clay Ford. The large round dome-shaped brass bell has a lacquer finish and is electrically-operated. The bell is mounted on a round-shaped, cast bronze watertight housing that is painted gray. A large bronze clapper can be seen at the top of the housing behind the bell dome. An identification plate on the front of the housing shows Henschel Corporation, Amesbury, Mass., A Unit of General Signal." Additional text shows "Dr. No. 20-163-F, Type 8, Volts 12DC, Alt. 13." One screw-type removable fuse cover is located on each side of the housing (left and right) and a brass cable clamp with a short section of heavy-duty electrical cable is located at the bottom of the housing. Four flanges with holes are located at the base of the housing in order to allow the entire bell assembly to be mounted on a bulkhead. The number, "C1297," is cast on the underside of the base housing.