This is a Ship's Telegraph, also known aboard as a Chadburn or Engine Order Telegraph. Used on ships to communicate orders from the bridge (where the captain or officer is) to the engine room (where the engineers control the engines). Captain rotates the handle to the desired speed/direction setting (e.g., "Full Ahead", "Dead Slow Astern"). A bell rings in the engine room, and the engineer moves their handle to match the order. This confirms the order received. These were crucial before modern communication systems. The one pictured is from "J.W.Y. & [presumably Son] (Liverpool) Ltd, Liverpool & London," a common manufacturer.