SS Duchess of York shipping line 1935 silver ships wheel badge

A scarce original fine quality 'S.S.Duchess of York ship's wheel brooch', mounted to the centre a highly enamelled maple leaf representing the Canadian voyages this Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd' shipping line company ship undertook; the reverse bearing Birmingham silver hallmarks for 1935 and maker's details 'B.Bros'. Very good condition, retaining original pin fittings, no damage to the enamel.
Diameter 31mm.
The 'S.S.Duchess of Bedford' was built for the 'Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd' in 1928 by 'John Brown & Co Ltd, Glasgow'. Laid down as the 'Duchess of Cornwall' but was launched as the 'Duchess of York' in 1928. She was requisitioned in 1940 and used to transport troops, German prisoners of war and evacuee children. In 1943 she was was hit by bombs while off the Spanish coast and caught fire and was abandoned with the loss of 27 lives and subsequently torpedoed and sunk by 'HMS Douglas' so as not to attract enemy submarines to the area.

Code: 57530