SHIPS’ NAPKIN RINGS FOR THE S.S. JONATHAN HOLT AND T.S.S. PA...

Hammer

£400

SHIPS’ NAPKIN RINGS FOR THE S.S. JONATHAN HOLT AND T.S.S. PATROCLUS

both fully hallmarked, the first also engraved with the company’s house flag

(2)

S.S. Jonathan Holt, built for John Holt & Co. of Liverpool in 1938, was sailing in convoy OB-289 bound for West Africa when she was torpedoed and sunk by U-97 southwest of the Faroe Islands on 24^th February 1941. Fifty-one lives were lost, including the master and 4 SOE agents, travelling incognito, their destination unknown!

S.S. Patroclus, built for Alfred Holt & Co. in 1923, was requisitioned by the Admiralty in September 1939 and converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser mounting six BL6-in. Mk. XII naval guns. In a remarkable action involving another AMC, H.M.S. Laurentic, both ships were attacked relentlessly by U-99 and Patroclus took no less than six torpedo hits before the last one broke her back and sank her. 76 lives were lost, including the master.