Beschreibung:

Title: Original ship's wheel from the U.S.S. President Hayes Author: Place: Newport News Publisher: Date: c.1939 Description: Original ship's wheel, approximately 42½" in diameter overall. Brass geared hub at center, approximately 7½" diameter, with eight spokes extending approximately 17" from the center hub though an outer wooden ring of approximately 32" diameter. The outer ring with two inlaid bands of a lighter finish on each side of the wheel, the wheels eight handles extend approximately 5" from the wooden ring. Entirely unrestored, with the original finish intact. Accompanied by a stainless steel sign commemorating the ship's 1941 conversion to a combat transport. Sign approximately 14x24" with black lettering. The USS President Hayes was a President Jackson Class attack transport, in service for the US Navy in World War II. The SS President Hayes was constructed by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., launched in October of 1940, flagged by the American President Lines in early 1941, acquired by the US Navy and the name changed to the USS President Hayes later in 1941 and redesignated an attack transport in February, 1943. During February and March of 1942 she was used to evacuate civilians and service dependents from Pearl Harbor, later that year she took part in the invasion of Guadalcanal and would spend the rest of the war transporting crew and cargo throughout the Pacific Theater. She continued transport operations in the Pacific into 1949, she was decommissioned in June of that year at Mare Island, assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet in 1950, stricken from the Navy list in in 1958, and sold for scrap in 1973. She earned seven battle stars for her service in World War II. Due to the size and weight of this object, an additional crating fee of $300 will be added, plus the cost of freight service. Lot Amendments Condition: Unrestored, with some usage wear; some scratching to the sign; very good. Item number: 261345