[NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1901-4:] AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING BULKHEAD CLOCK BELIEVED TO BE FROM THE S.S. DISCOVERY
with 7in. enamel dial, black steel hands, subsidiary seconds and slow/fast lever over 'XII', single winding arbor to chain fusee movement, contained within a shagreen-covered brass bulkhead case with repairer's scratch-marks for 'RRS Discovery 36' inside, with hinged port, stamped around the recess ring H.M.S. DISCOVERY / R.F. SCOTT. 6 AUG. 1901, mounted on a circular wooden plaque for wall hanging, the top of the clock with white metal plate engraved H.M.S. DISCOVERY CAPTAIN SCOTT TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION 1910 -- 10½in. (27cm.) diameter

Discovery had several designations over the years and was 'S.Y.' when acquired by Scott, who then used 'S.S.' (having failed to get the Royal Navy to officially sanction the expedition, he couldn't use 'H.M.S.', but confusingly managed to fly the R.N. white ensign by being a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron - the only yacht club granted this privilege); King George V conferred 'R.R.S.' in 1925 which she carries to the present date. The earlier exploration vessel Discovery (ex-Bloodhound) was designated H.M.S. as it was an R.N.-lead expedition, so it's hardly surprising this clock, thought to have been removed as a souvenir, has incorrect punch marks. The scratch-markings inside are perhaps more telling insofar as they are very faint and are typical of the type used by clock repairers who, faced with a bench of similar movements, needed to record which case went with which movement, the '36' being the year it was serviced.

In running order; dial in good condition; shagreen has light mark where cleaning has been attempted; repair to the slow/fast lever; otherwise good overall condition.