U.S.S. RALEIGH. An eight-inch Ashcroft Mfg Company Lever Clock. Boston, Massachusetts. 226063.

The name “Raleigh” has been given to four military ships since 1776, all named after North Carolina's capital. This clock was made to serve on one of them. Which ship? It wasn't made for the first Raleigh, a 32-gun sailing frigate authorized by the Continental Congress in 1776. She was captured by the British in 1778. The second ship was a protective cruiser commissioned in 1894 that served in the Spanish-American War. This Raleigh took part in the Battle of Manila Bay as part of Admiral Dewey's Asiatic Squadron. This clock was originally installed on that ship.

Edward H. Ashcroft founded the Ashcroft Mfg Company in 1852. He was a skilled mechanic who made parts for steam engines. In the early 1850s, he bought a patent from Eugene Bourdon and began making the French “Bourdon tube” gauge in the United States. This gauge could measure up to 100,000 psi. Thanks to the success of the “Ashcroft gauge,” the company became a leader in pressure and temperature instruments, as well as counters, alarms, tools, and indicators. In 1880, Ashcroft sold his controlling shares to Manning, Maxwell, and More, and the company moved from Boston to New York City. Factories were once located in Boston, Bridgeport, and Stratford.

This industrial-grade case is built to handle tough conditions. Made of brass, it is heavy and has been recently cleaned, revealing a beautiful rose-brass color. The back flange measures 11 inches in diameter, and this case is 4 inches deep. The front bezel is slightly smaller at 9.65 inches across. The bezel is hinged, fitted with glass, and locks with a key. It opens from the right, allowing easy access to the dial.

The dial is brass with a silvered finish and measures about 8.25 inches across. All information is stamped directly into the brass. The time ring, 7.25 inches in diameter, uses Roman numerals for the hours and has a closed minute ring. These features were stamped into the dialplate with great pressure, a method also used on some E. Howard Astro dials. There is a subsidiary seconds dial above the center arbor, with the rate adjustment to its right. The name “U. S. S. RALEIGH” appears above the seconds display. The number "716" is stamped below the hour VI. Below the winding arbor, the retailer's name and location are stamped: "ASHCROFT MFG CO. / NEW YORK & BRIDGEPORT."

The movement in this clock was made by the Boston Clock Company and is die-stamped on the front plate. It features their December 28, 1880 patent date and the movement number “1947.” It is spring-wound and designed to run for eight days. The escapement features a balance wheel, allowing the clock to operate in unstable environments. As a result, it continues to run while being moved. The plates of this movement are circular. This clock was made in 1892.

Inventory number 226063.

This clock is highly collectible and sought after by collectors.

For more information regarding Chelsea Clocks and the Company, please visit Jim Dyson's website at: https://chelseaclockmuseum.com.