Pearl Harbor & USS West Virginia | Julien’s Auctions | History & Technology

Julien’s Spotlight History and Technology Auction - July 11th
Don’t miss the opportunity to own a significant piece of history at Julien’s Spotlight History and Technology Auction on July 11th. Featured in this auction is an original life preserver ring from the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48), collected in the aftermath of the infamous 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
The USS West Virginia was one of seven battleships moored at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when it was sunk by multiple hits from Japanese bombs and torpedoes. Tragically, 106 of her crew perished, including sailors who survived for 16 days trapped in an airtight compartment before succumbing to starvation and lack of oxygen.
This life preserver ring, along with another from the USS West Virginia, was retrieved from the debris-filled waters by 16-year-old Charles House Morgan, whose father, Lt. Col. Charles Crisp Morgan, was stationed at Fort Ruger with the Coastal Artillery Corps. Before his passing in 2005, C.H. Morgan recounted his story in an article by Henry Bury in the Bellevue Intelligencer Newspaper.
In 2009, the rings were sold through Philip Weiss Auctions. The second ring, purchased by Oregon real estate developer Melvin Mark Jr., was later displayed in an exhibit of WWII memorabilia and fetched nearly half a million dollars when auctioned again in 2017. The first ring, after being sold in 2009, was donated to the U.S. Navy humanitarian program, Project Handclasp, and subsequently gifted to the current owner for fundraising purposes.
The cork-filled, painted canvas ring is marked “W. VA.” and “1WB,” indicating its assignment to Whale Boat #1. Whaleboats played crucial roles during the Pearl Harbor attack, aiding in rescue efforts and transporting personnel and supplies. The life preserver ring is a poignant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the USS West Virginia’s crew.
With a diameter of approximately 23 inches, this historical artifact is a remarkable collector’s item with an estimated value between $8,000 and $12,000.
Register now to participate in this unforgettable auction and own a piece of WWII history!
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