The Acquisition Log: “The Shipyard Salvage Operation”
“When the lagoon was drained and the submarines were decommissioned, not all of them went quietly into the scrap heap. Rumors persisted of a ‘Bone Yard’ in Florida where hulls were stripped for parts.
Through a contact in the maritime salvage industry, Hyperion Galleries negotiated the purchase of three crates marked ‘Vulcania Ironworks.’ These crates contained fittings that had been submerged for over two decades. They arrived at our facility encrusted in mineral deposits, requiring months of careful restoration to reveal the brass beneath the brine.”
Artifact History: The Nautilus Porthole Rim (Brass)
- The Object: A heavy, cast-brass ring originally mounted on the starboard side of a Nautilus vessel.
- The History: This brass fitting spent twenty years circulating the liquid darkness of the 20K lagoon. It framed the view of giant squids, sea serpents, and the ruins of Atlantis for millions of guests. It was cast to withstand the ‘pressures’ of the deep, but more importantly, to sell the illusion of Victorian technology.
- Archivist Note: The patina on this item is intentional. While we have cleaned the surface dirt, we have left the oxidation in the crevices to certify its decades of underwater service.
