Full speed ahead! A most important Pearl Harbor relic, the bridge mounted engine order telegraph from CL49 U.S.S. St. Louis, the only major warship to escape the Pearl Harbor attacks.

Earning eleven Battle Stars for meritorious participation in battle, the U.S.S. St. Louis saw incredible action throughout The Pacific Theater in World War II and earned the nickname "The Lucky Lou" for its continued unlikely survival.

Present at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 the warship was fired upon and nearly torpedoed, but its crew was able to gun down three Japanese fighter pilots and instead The Lucky Lou became the only major warship to power up and steam out of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Following the events at Pearl Harbor, The Lucky Lou went on to play a major role in battles throughout The Pacific Theater including The Battle of the Green Islands, The Battle of Kula Gulf, The Battle of Kolumbangera, The Marianas Campaign, and The Philippines Campaign. Throughout the four years The U.S.S. St. Louis was active in the war it was hit by aerial bombs, torpedoed, and even struck by kamikaze pilots — nevertheless, the ship stayed true to its nickname and never sank or even sustained mortal damage.

Following its tenure in the United States Navy, The Lucky Lou was recommissioned to the Brazilian Navy in 1951, until 1976. In 1980 the ship was sold to shipbreakers in Taiwan, but along the way it tore apart and finally foundered off the coast of South Africa.

The engine order telegraph is a communications device used on a ship to transfer orders of change in speed or direction from the bridge to the control room. Traditional E.O.T.’s, such as The U.S.S. St. Louis,’ required a pilot wanting to change speed to "ring" the telegraph on the bridge, moving the handle to a different position on the dial. This would ring a bell in the engine room and signal the change in order on a twin telegraph.

This telegraph from The U.S.S. St. Louis retains its original specification plate from Bendix Cory of Brooklyn, New York. The plate is engraved U.S.S. St. Louis — CL49. Double engine ford. Trans & Ind. (order transmitter and indicator). Bendix Marine Products Co. Inc. Brooklyn, N.Y.

Polished steel base, brass head components, and handles, bell and electric box. Original faceplates with Cory logo and ship commands, including Ahead and Back, 1/3, 2/3, stand, full, and flank. The telegraph stands at 46” tall and 51” tall including its handle, and its face measures 10.5” in diameter.

An incredibly symbolic piece of U.S. Naval history. Full speed ahead!

This is an online only sale. Items may be viewed upon appointment in New York City.

Notice to bidders: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in excellent condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or call Guernsey's at 212-794-2280 to request a more thorough condition report.