AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING SETTLE, CONSTRUCTED FROM THE GANGWAY BOARDS AND REMOVED PANELLING OF THE P&O LINER R.M.S. RAWALPINDI, SUNK IN ACTION AGAINST SHARNHORST AND GNEISENAU, 23^RD NOVEMBER, 1939

constructed in flame mahogany with hinged box seats, arched panelled backs and sunburst motif over with brass plaque inscribed P.&O. S.S. ‘Rawalpindi’ Sunk in Action, 23^rd November, 1939, flanked by a pair of carved gangway boards with P&O crest and ships name -- 49½ x 43¼ x 18¼in. (126 x 110 x 46cm.)

Rawlapindi was one of four ‘R’ Class liners launched for the P&O Line in 1925. Built by Harland & Wolff Ltd., Belfast she registered 16,619 gross tons and her quadruple expansion four cylinder engines could develop a respectable 17 knots. Classed as an armed merchant cruiser, upon the outbreak of World War II, she together with her sisters were requisitioned by the Admiralty who removed their aft funnels and fitted eight 6” and two 3” guns. Manned by 302 officers and men from the R.N.R., Rawalpindi was attached to the Northern Patrol and, on 23^rd November 1939, was south east of Iceland when she sighted the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau attempting to break out into the Atlantic for commerce raiding operations. Laying a smoke screen, she tried to place herself in a nearby fog bank but the Germans were far faster. Defying a warning shot to stop, Captain Kennedy decided to deny them a prize and was heard to say We’ll fight them both, they’ll sink us, and that will be that. Good-bye. Rawalpindi reported the enemy's position and, despite the disparity in armament, managed to hit Scharnhorst in the quarter of an hour before she was sunk. The cruiser Newcastle (see lot 99) which was next in the patrol line, closed and sighted the battlecruiser's lights forcing them to return to base as their position was known. Rawalpindi sank taking her Captain, 38 officers and 226 ratings with her, 37 men were picked up by the German ships, 11 by H.M.S. Chitral, another converted liner, and a further 11 by Newcastle. Captain Kennedy (father of broadcaster Ludovic Kennedy) was mentioned in dispatches, and the crews of the German ships awarded the High Seas Fleet badge for the sinking. Of the fifty-five liners converted to armed use, fifteen had been sunk by the close of 1941 and the remainder were withdrawn from Atlantic service as soon as possible.

Condition Report

Fine overall condition

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.