Ever heard of the U.S.S. Dorothy ?

[TraderDan]

well me neither, but I found her ship's clock this morning, and its a slice of history I guess. My question is why is it chrome and not brass ?? anyone ? I doubt if it was re- chromed or nickel plated, whichever it is. I do not have a key to check if it works, but looks good and keeps good time twice a day. Wiki says this:

USS Dorothy (SP-1289)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

General characteristics
United States
History
Dorothy as a civilian motorboat sometime between 1911 and 1917.
Name:	USS Dorothy
Namesake:	Previous name retained
Completed:	1911
Acquired:	17 August 1917
Commissioned:	by 13 September 1917
Decommissioned:	27 November 1918[1]
Fate:	Returned to owner 24 September[2] or 27 November[3] 1918
Notes:	Operated as civilian motorboat Dorothy 1911-1917 and from 1918
Type:	Patrol vessel
Length:	41 ft (12 m)

USS Dorothy (SP-1289) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
Dorothy was built as a civilian motorboat of the same name in 1911. On 17 August 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, the Conservation Commission of Maryland, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I. She was commissioned as USS Dorothy (SP-1289) and was reported as being "already in service" on 13 September 1917.[4]
Assigned to the 5th Naval District, Dorothy served on patrol duties in the Maryland and Virginia area.
The Navy returned Dorothy to the Conservation Commission on either 24 September[5] or 27 November[6] 1918.
Notes

 

[Fathertime]

A lot of brass things were plated so they wouldn’t have to be polished. Brass would tarnish pretty quick but plated brass just needed a quick buff to make it shine and look presentable.

 

[Duckyou]

You know that Dorothy was once carried off by a storm and landed in a strange world...

 

[TraderDan]

I was thinking that maybe the ship was mostly chrome and done to match her decor.
Searching Ebay only 1 out of 120 was chrome,

 

[FrankT]

It was a civilian boat first so chrome would be a normal thing at the time

 

[LowRiderRed]

Chrome plating wasn't invented until 1924.

 

[Snake-Eyes]

It looks like a "Schatz" clock. I don't think they were made back in 1917 or 1918 when a plaque with "U.S.S." would be appropriate.

Perhaps it might be a ship's clock from later in the Dorothy's service, and a commemorative plaque with the honored title of "U.S.S." was made?

 

[MauserLarry]

reproduction?