NGC: Antique Ship Porthole ID

[Groover]

I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to identify the ship or ship type this porthole may have come off of:

The general specs are:

- Solid Brass, 15lbs
- 12.5" outer ring dimension
- 8" glass porthole size
- 3/4" glass porthole thickness
- The frame is stamped "ER" and the window hinge is stamped "3"

What I notice to be different on this one vs other similar ones I"ve seen online are:

- This one uses a 3-blade tapered tool to tighten the porthole window (others have a large thumbstyle nut), so seems built to handle more extreme conditions.
- This one seems to have an extra hinge to not sure what with a second latch with the specialty nut (a little longer too). Others only have the one hinge for the porthole window.

My fiance' picked this up for me at an estate sale, knowing I like old ship stuff and also because I like to polish stuff 

I know there is wide mix of knowledge and experience on this board, and was the first place I thought to ask this question.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

[RinkRat II]

 Hey Groover, Looks like the key to your detective work is the conical nuts. After doing a quick google seems to be pretty rare compared to the standard wing nut. Maybe a rigging shop on the  East coast can supply some info. Annapolis MD and Conneticut may be a start. Also Where's BoatDetective when you need him? Maybe PM him. Happy Hunting!

      Paul B

[Kiwi_Roy]

Doesn't the ER mean its English?

[pyoungbl]

Contact Joe Elder at Skipjack Nautical Wares in Portsmouth, VA.  http://www.skipjackmarinegallery.com/  Joe sells lots of these kinds of things and probably has some suggestions about where to get more info.  Tell him or Alison (his wife) that Peter sent you.

Peter Y.

[rodekyll]

Also look at diving helmets.

[Sheepdog]

The �ER� could be Elizabeth Regina, I suppose. However the robust thickness of the porthole glass suggests an emergency escape pod like the ones they use offshore or even a diving bell...

[Groover]

Thanks for the replies. I'll contact some of the places suggested next week. In the meantime, I also found this place:

http://www.piecesofship.com/portholes.htm

I may also contact them next week to see if they have any more clues. It seems those tapered nuts are called "cuffs", and if I understand the terminology correctly based on that site, this one is a one "dog", but I still can't figure out the extra hinge.

Thanks again.

[pehayes]

but I still can't figure out the extra hinge.

I'd bet it had a secondary cover for excluding light during the day.  Or perhaps a secondary grille cover to protect the glass in a working environment.  Either  would be served by the now-empty hinge at the top and the secondary cuff at the bottom.  Main hinge to the right and main cuff to the left.

See this version:


Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Groover]

That makes complete sense, thanks!

Edit: My fiance pointed out that the ER could stand for Engine Room. This is starting to make even more sense now knowing the possible function of the second hinge.

[normzone]

The wreck diving community may have some input - I don't know where you got this from.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I'm betting that the extra hinge is to mount a bronze cover plate for setting "Dog Zebra", in case of hazardous conditions like storms or combat.
 It is the way some of the ships I served were rigged.  Most were built in the forties and one was built in the thirties.
 It also prevents light from inside being seen outside the ship.