Antique WWI R.M.S. Galway Castle George V sterling silver souvenir spoon

A beautiful and rare antique R.M.S. Galway Castle sterling silver souvenir spoon, with faux amethyst thistle finial to handle. Marks for Birmingham, 1915, Crisford & Norris Ltd (active 1896 to 1978). Engraved R.M.S. Gastle Castle to bowl of spoon.

Built in 1911 by Harland & Wolff, who had just built the Titanic, at Belfast. RMS Galway Castle saw only a few years’ commercial use until WWI broke out. In August 1914 she was requisitioned as a troop ship for deployment in the German West Africa campaign against Windhoek.

By 1915 she had returned to commercial use, but the plucky vessel sadly met her end on 12th September 1918 when two days out from Plymouth, she was torpedoed by a U-82 and broke her back.

Destroyers were summoned by radio to rescue survivors who were taken back to Plymouth where it was ascertained that 143 persons had perished. RMS Galway Castle would wallow for three days before she finally saw, with HMS Spitfire in attendance to take off her skeleton crew.

Price marked at $250 AUD.

Measurements: 10.5 grams total weight. 12cm length

Excellent antique condition with minor wear overall commensurate with age.