Here at Archive Services we hold a collection of records for John Hastie & Co. Ltd, steering gear manufacturers, on behalf of the National Archives of Scotland (collection ref. GD444). We therefore receive enquiries from people who have acquired part of a ship’s steering gear (usually the indicator plate, which includes the name of the manufacturer and a serial number) and would like to know which ship it relates to.
John Hastie, an engineer and millwright, opened a small works in Greenock in 1845. In 1853, he patented the first self-holding steering gear and went on to produce hand-steering gear of the right- and left-hand screw principle. In 1870, the firm began making steam steering gear. It took on limited liability status in 1898, becoming known as John Hastie & Co. Ltd. From 1903 the company devoted itself to the production of steering gear, and was a pioneer in the 1910s in the field of electric hydraulic steering gear.
Serial numbers were assigned chronologically, however each number was used three times, for screw, steam and hydraulic gear. If you give us a serial number, we can use the Order Books and Drawing Registers we hold to give you the following set of information for each of the three types of gear:
- the name of the shipbuilding company that was the customer
- the yard number (and name, if known at that point) of the ship
- the date that the gear was dispatched
You can order copies of the original entries from us.
From your own knowledge of your artefact, you may be able to identify which of the three ships your gear related to. Alternatively you can commission us to do some further research to narrow it down.
To find out more, contact us here.
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Dear Kia,
I’m looking for serial # 271 information.
Thank you for any information.
Respectfully,
Gene Peterson
Hi Gene,
Please could you email us details of the serial number, manufacturer and any other information you have about the steering wheel and helm we can use the Order Books and Drawing Registers we hold to check for information on the shipping company, the yard number of the ship, and the date the gear was dispatched.
You can find our contact details here: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/contactus/
We aim to answer enquiries within 20 working days.
Best wishes,
Kiara
Hi there. Where do I find the serial number on a John Hastie Ltd steering column. Thankyou trying to find some info on it
Hi Jody, As far as we know, the searial number is usually on the brasswork – the brass boss at the centre of the wheel, or the brass indicator plate.
Hi there,
I have a beautiful John Hastie steering wheel here in Vancouver Canada. How can I connect with a collector of such items so that it can find a good home?
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/bpo/5502400973.html?lang=en&cc=us
Thanks
Dustin Anderson
Hi Dustin, we don’t have experience in collecting steering wheel artefacts but suggest that you search for nautical antique dealers.
Thanks,
Kiara
Dear Ladies and Gentleman,
I have a ship wheel which is probably made by John Hastie & Co. It has the serial number: H.G. 5084/5.
I would be very happy to get some informations about ist.
Thanks in advance
Jenny (Germany)
Hi Jenny,
If you could send an email to the duty archivist with the details of your ship wheel and serial number we will have a look in the records. Using the Order Books and Drawing Registers we can check for information about the shipping company, the yard number of the ship, and the date the gear was dispatched. You can fill in our enquiry form online here http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/contact/enquiry/ or email us at archives@glasgow.ac.uk
We aim to answer enquiries within 20 working days. Thanks. Kiara
Hi Jenny! I have a Hastie ships wheel and helm with the same serial number. Did you ever receive any info about it? Thanks Ron
Where on the wheel is the serial number?
Hi Tony. As far as we know, usually on the brasswork – the brass boss at the centre of the wheel, or the brass indicator plate.
Thanks for the reply. I have looked it over three times, no serial number.
Also, do all John Hastie wheels have serial numbers? Does cleaning the wheel affect it’s value?
The order books we have suggest that.
An auctioneer should be able to advise you on value.
Thanks.
I have a John Hastie wheel and compass serial # HG8359/60 any idea when made and for which ship? thank you
HI John
I don’t suppose you could email a picture of it to me as I have an interest in these things. david@mylne.com
Thanks
David Gray
Thanks for your enquiry, John.
We will reply by email within 20 working days.
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are currently working on one Hastie Hele-shaw, and the only part number we can tell is LP42. The ship is called Pacific Dawn, and the hele-shaw pump is installed on the steering gear. She was built in 1991 by the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy as Regal Princess. The ship was originally ordered by Sitmar Cruises, but delivered to Princess Cruises, and later sold to the fleet of P&O Cruises Australia
Any information is appreciated.
Thank you.
Thank you for your email Ivan – we will reply within 20 working days.
Dear Sir
I have a Hastie Telemotor with the following numbers marked on it. Can you help me identify which ship this is from.
TT10/43 No90 H.G7643/4
Any help much appreciated.
Best regards
David Gray
Hi David
We will have a look for you and email you the results.
We aim to answer enquiries within 20 working days.
Best wishes
Claire Daniel
Hi Don,
If you send us details of the serial number, manufacturer and any other information you have about the steering wheel and helm we can use the Order Books and Drawing Registers we hold to check for information on the shipping company, the yard number of the ship, and the date the gear was dispatched.
You can find our contact details here:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/archives/contactus/
We aim to answer enquiries within 20 working days.
Best wishes,
Gemma Tougher
Assistant Archivist (Cataloguing)
I have a John Hastie steering wheel and helm. I would like to find out more of it’s history. Please advise what i need to do. thank you