On 19 February 1856 Queen Victoria viewed captured war trophies from the Siege of Sevastopol at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.[4] Victoria decided that one of the captured bells be sent to Windsor Castle.[4] It was presented to Victoria in late December 1868 at Windsor Castle and initially placed on the castle's North Terrace alongside a large gun captured during the siege,[5] but was later hung in the Round Tower above the steps in the centre of the tower.[5] The other bell was taken to Aldershot Garrison where it has been displayed in various locations and is currently housed in an open-sided wooden shelter outside the St Omer Barracks.[1]
Description
The bell was cast by Nicholas Samtoun of Moscow at an unknown date. It weighs 17 cwt and 30 lbs (877.25 kg), and has relief decoration, including elaborate bands and motifs of crowns and angels.[1] The bell is inscribed "Sevastopol-Nicolas Sanctus" and with the record of its weight in poods.[5]The Times described its tone as "rich and sonorous" in 1868.[5]