Salvaged Steel Porthole

This is a Salvaged 17″ Steel Porthole with a Missing Dog. This was a purchase from a private collector in Virginia.

Originally, this would have had 4 dogs for opening/closing the porthole. Over the years, the fourth dog went missing. You could display it as is, or remove the 3rd dog and display it with only the bottom two in place.

History

The word “porthole” has nothing to do with its location on the port side of a ship, but originated thanks to Henry VII of England in 1485. The king demanded mounting guns that were too large for his ships, and a French shipbuilder, James Baker, was brought on to solve the problem. He pierced the ship’s side so that the cannon could be mounted inside. When there was heavy weather or the cannons were not in use, the openings in the ships were fitted with covers that latched tightly. These were called Porte, which means door in French. Porte became port thanks to the English, and eventually, any opening on a ship was called a porthole.

*Items without a mirror usually ship within 1–2 business days. However, if you select the mirror option, please allow 1–2 weeks for the mirror to be custom-cut and installed before shipment.