Inscribed: R. Horwood,Dec. 9th(th superscript) 1858.The Great Eastn (the n is superscript) Stm(m superscript) ShipLaunched Jany(y superscript) 31st(st superscript) 1858Designed by J. K. Brunel Esqr(r superscript) Built by J.S. Russell Esqr(r superscript)C.H. Adams(below the ship, lr:)Tonnage.....24000 tonsPower.......2600 horseLength.......692....ftBreadth.......83....ftDepth.........60....ft And someone's handwritten small sticky label inside:" Turbo Marmoratus".
It's a nice launching commemorative and the artistic hand of the scrimshander is very fine quality work. The photos on the web site show all of the words in the array of photos. We've not seen one of these shells with the harbor information associated with the laying of the transatlantic cable. While the shells are often known as "nautilus" shells, it is a Turbo Marmoratus, or a "Marbled Turban Shell.
