F. S. Bell 1939. "Exeter's" six eight-inch guns were mainly responsible for seriously damaging the in the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. In this battle, "Exeter" also incurred severe damage from seven hits by eleven-inch shells and suffered 61 killed and 23 wounded. One salvo from the "Graf Spee" did a great deal of damage to the wheelhouse and killed all but three of the officers in it. Bell survived with minor injuries and he ordered that the remaining turrets should continue firing on the enemy. As damage control parties battled fires and flooding, Bell used a compass from one
Ship's chronometer from HMS Beagle Bolder. In July 1830 the chronometer was returned from "Hecla" and went for cleaning to Robert Molyneux in London. It was returned to Greenwich in November but not immediately issued to another ship. In March 1831 the chronometer was delivered to Devonport where the rate was checked and recorded. On 6 December 1831 it was issued to Captain Stokes in command of HMS "Beagle". It sailed with Captain Fitzroy on "Beagle"'s famous second voyage and was returned to Greenwich 7 November 1836. After a period at Arnold and Dent for cleaning it was transported by HMS "Lightning" to Devonport or