Ships bell from SMS Grosser Kurfurst

IT once tolled on one of the German Empire’s most fearsome battleships.

Now the bell from the SMS Grosser Kurfurst is bound for Portsmouth, having been bought by the National Museum of the Royal Navy for £5,000.

The artifact was almost lost to history and had passed most of the last century in a Bristol back garden.

Auctioneer Stephen Booth, of Atlantic Crossing Auctions in Southampton, said there had been a lot of interest from potential buyers in the bell.

He said he was thrilled the Portsmouth museum had won the bidding.

‘It’s a beautiful piece.

‘She’s got a bit of history to her so we’re absolutely delighted it will go to a museum where people can enjoy it learn and the story that goes around it.’

The battleship took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916, the biggest naval battle of the First World War.

She was also involved in the bombardments of east coast towns including Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby.