Teak Planter Barrel from Timbers of HMS Warspsite

Over the years we have had numerous items of treen made from timbers salvaged from Royal Navy ships but this planter is one of the more impressive. It carries a brass plaque to the rim reading 'From the Teak of HMSWarspite.' Warspite was Queen Elizabeth-class battleships launched in 1913 and she served with distinction with Battle Honours for Jutland in WWI and in WWII for the Atlantic 1939, Narvik 1940, Norway 1940, Calabria 1940, Mediterranean 1940-41-43, Malta Convoys 1941, Matapan 1941, Crete 1941, Sicily 1943, Salerno 1943, English Channel 1944, Normandy 1944, Biscay 1944 and Walcheren 1944! She thus earned, in a 30 year career, the most battle honours ever awarded to an individual ship in the Royal Navy and the most awarded for actions during the Second World War. For this and other reasons Warspite gained the nickname the "Grand Old Lady. "Warspite's motto was 'Belli Dura Despicio' meaning "I Despise the Hard Knocks of War" and she certainly lived up to this! She was struck off charge in 1947 and 19 April 1947, Warspite departed Portsmouth for scrapping at Faslane. On the way, she encountered storm force conditions. In desperation she dropped one of her anchors in Mount's Bay, Cornwall, which did not hold, and the storm drove her onto Mount Mopus Ledge near Cudden Point and she went hard aground a few yards away in Prussia Cove. Her skeleton crew of seven were all saved by the Penlee Lifeboat. There were several attempts to re float her but the hull was badly damaged and she was eventually broken up at that spot. Our planter is made from teak planks from the wreck (possibly decking) and are held in place by brass bands. Inside is fitted a galvanised plant holder which shows some age wear. This item is from our own collection and we have used with a pot plant inside and at Christmas looks brilliant displayed with a Poinsettia. A superb historical item that will become a real talking point in any home! Measures 10 1/2" high x 12" diameter (28 cm x 31 cm.)