“Bells have big significance and symbolism. They’re a central a part of our ships,” stated Connell. “After I was lucky sufficient to command an plane service, the ship’s identify was HMS Illustrious, it was the fifth named ship. The fourth ship was additionally an plane service and obtained motion harm within the Second World Battle. That bell from that fourth ship sat outdoors my cabin, and it was a day by day reminder kind of to me and all of my Sailors about what occurs in battle. This bell was ripped aside with the blast harm that it obtained on the time. That bell now sits within the Chief of Naval Operations’ eating room within the Pentagon. It’s one other image of the U.Ok., U.S., Royal Navy, United States Navy relationship.”
“This bell serves as a remembrance of the 64 Sailors aboard Jacob Jones who made the final word sacrifice defending the liberty of our nation and people who challenged it,” stated Kilby. “As the primary U.S. destroyer misplaced in fight, her crew’s legacy will stay on, their tales might be instructed and their loss might be remembered as we protect this piece of our nation’s story. Our Navy expresses our sincerest gratitude to those that made it doable to take this unimaginable artifact of somber historical past again residence.”
USS Jacob Jones (DD 61) was the primary U.S. Navy destroyer misplaced to enemy motion, sinking eight minutes after being struck by a torpedo fired from German submarine U-53 on Dec. 6, 1917. Out of the seven officers and 103 males on board on the time of the assault, 64 misplaced their lives.
The shipwreck was found off the Isles of Scilly, England, in August 2022 by technical divers. For the reason that discovery, multi-lateral efforts involving SALMO, the UK’s Nationwide Oceanography Centre, Wessex Archaeology, and NHHC purpose to completely doc and examine the wreck web site in assist of its interpretation and long-term preservation. The continued cooperation between the UK Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Navy fortifies the historic bonds and mutual dedication to honoring and preserving a shared naval historical past.
The bell – recovered in January 2024 by the UK Ministry of Defence’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) workforce with assist from NHHC – was initially stabilized by Wessex Archaeology. Following NHHC Underwater Archaeology department conservation efforts, the bell is meant for show sooner or later new Nationwide Museum of the U.S. Navy.
“NHHC’s purpose is to doc and protect this artifact within the Command’s Conservation, Analysis, and Archaeology Laboratory and put together it for long-term curation and show within the new Nationwide Museum of the U.S. Navy. We consider the bell will supply a tangible manner for the general public to attach and study concerning the story of Jacob Jones and U.S. Navy’s function in World Battle I,” stated NHHC Archaeological Conservator Shanna Daniel.
“We’re extremely grateful to everybody who made this vital restoration doable,” stated NHHC Director, Sam Cox, retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. “World Battle I marked a pivotal second in our collective historical past. In escorting convoys of troopers and provides throughout the Atlantic, the Jacob Jones contributed considerably to the final word Allied victory. The final word sacrifice of a lot of her crew demonstrates that victory has a value, and freedom isn’t free. We should always always remember these brave sailors. The stays of the ship are a battle grave, and it’s usually Navy coverage to depart such wrecks undisturbed. Nonetheless, attributable to important threat the bell may very well be plundered, this restoration represents an distinctive case. After closing conservation the bell of the Jacob Jones might be displayed within the Nationwide Museum of the USA Navy in honor of the gallant crew of this ship, and particularly the 64 males who didn’t survive.”
The wreck of USS Jacob Jones (DD 61) is a U.S. sunken navy craft protected by U.S. legislation and underneath the jurisdiction of the Division of the Navy. Whereas non-intrusive actions, resembling distant sensing documentation, on U.S. Navy sunken navy craft are allowed, any exercise which will outcome within the disturbance of a sunken navy craft have to be coordinated with NHHC and, if applicable, licensed via a related allowing program. Most significantly, the wreck represents the ultimate resting place of Sailors who gave their life in protection of the nation and needs to be revered by all events as a battle grave.
For extra info relating to the sinking of USS Jacob Jones (DD 61), go to: www.historical past.navy.mil/analysis/underwater-archaeology/sites-and-projects/ship-wrecksites/uss-jacob-jones-dd-61.html
NHHC, situated on the Washington Navy Yard, is accountable for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating U.S. naval historical past and heritage. It supplies the data basis for the Navy by sustaining traditionally related assets and merchandise that mirror the Navy’s distinctive and enduring contributions via our nation’s historical past and helps the fleet by helping with and delivering skilled analysis, evaluation, and interpretive companies. NHHC includes many actions, together with the Navy Division Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy artwork and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, 10 museums, USS Structure restore facility, and the historic ship Nautilus.
Notice to Media: For extra info, contact the Naval Historical past and Heritage Command Public Affairs Workplace at 202-433-7880 or nhhc_publicaffairs@us.navy.mil.
