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Chelsea Ship Clock ILDICO and US Life Savings Service. USLSS

  1. Bill Sohne Ω 2

    Bill Sohne Bill @ ΩF Staff Member Jan 22, 2023

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    Hello everyone....
    It is no secrete here that I am also a Clock collector.... I really love "Tool Clocks". a clock with a Job...

    Here is the info I have researched so far on my 8 1/2 Ship's Bell Chelsea... sold to Charles Davis on November 17, 1906 s/n 24,097, Chelsea recorded partially obliterated; they thought it read "non striking" ... I bet it was " Non-Magnetic"
    Dial is signed
    " Non Magnetic "
    "ILDICO"
    " Chelsea Clock Co. etc.... 8 1/2 ships bell.
    IMG-1700.JPG IMG-1701.JPG

    I am drawing the conclusion from the date of sale of the Clock 11/17/1906 it was purchased for the Ildico III ....
    See article attached about the life saving rescue the ILDICO was instrumental in...
    Now for the bit of really interesting stuff...
    The Ildico IV ( typo it's actually III) was the first gas powered
    launch used in a life saving rescue ! afterwards the US Life Saving
    service started to use gas powered boats...
    Ildico iii Crosby-012-e1502366973410.jpg

    Ildico III
    from one article describes the boat as 40 ft length and with a 26 hp motor... ( I have also seen it mentioned as 45ft) .

    I am also attaching an image from the EM Crosby boat works website ... They have a typo saying it's the Ildico IV , have to assume III as the IV was not built until 1909 and the accident happened on Oct 8 1907.
    https://www.emcrosbyboatworks.com/.../Crosby-012...
    The faithful event happened on oct 8 1907
    pg1.png pg2.png pg3.png pg4.png
    Background info I also came across...
    info on Ildico II from The Rudder Issue dated feb 1906
    Aug of 1906 the Ildico II ( 66 ft over water, 70 ft over all was
    sold and renamed Gypsy Joe sold to a guy in Detroit...).

    Good Hunting
    Bill Sohne
     
    Bernhard J, Tony C., neilfrancis and 10 others like this.
  2. Schmedsc Ω 1

    Schmedsc Jan 22, 2023

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    That’s a very nice clock with a significant history. Great sleuthing! Thank you for sharing.
     
    Bill Sohne likes this.
  3. warrydog

    warrydog Jan 22, 2023

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    Thanks Bill, very interesting
     
    Bill Sohne likes this.
  4. Watch my Whisky

    Watch my Whisky Jan 22, 2023

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    Love this. Thanks for sharing.
     
    Bill Sohne likes this.
  5. river rat

    river rat Jan 23, 2023

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    Cool story and clock I am another who likes ships clocks. First nonmagnetic marked Chelsea I seen and it's an early one good catch. Hey Bill, how did that other clock I know you added that Waltham quartz Govt. clock was it in good shape?
     
  6. Tony C. Ω 2

    Tony C. Ωf Jury member Jan 23, 2023

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    Very cool, Bill! I really like the look of the Ildico III, as well.
     
  7. Bill Sohne Ω 2

    Bill Sohne Bill @ ΩF Staff Member May 15, 2023

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    The Waltham quartz Marine Chronometer runs fine.... just noticed your question....

    Also I have started a Facebook group "Marine Clocks & Ships Clocks Collectors Group aka Things With Springs"
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/2469623999842535/