Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Admiral Graf Spee Bell
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Admiral Graf Spee Bell

Artifact IDMO 1942.157.1
Object Type Bell
Maker
Dateca. 1941
Mediumaluminum
Dimensionsoverall H 4 in x W 2 5/8 in x D 2 5/8 in x Diam 2 5/8 in (10.2 cm x 6.7 cm x 6.7 cm x 6.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small aluminum bell surmounted by a simple aluminum depiction of the German Cruiser, ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE.

Historical NoteThe German warship, ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE, was damaged during a confrontation with British cruisers at the Battle of the River Plate in the South Atlantic on December 13, 1939. The ship was forced to put into port at Montevideo, Uruguay and was ordered to be scuttled by the commander of the ship, Hans Langsdorff.

This bell, made from metal salvaged from the ship, was presented to President Franklin Roosevelt in October 1941 by Commander Thomas P. Wynkoop, Jr., United States Navy. Commander Wynkoop inspected the hull of the ship while on a tour of duty as a member of the Naval Mission to Brazil.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1942. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view