Marine Salvage Collection

Ships figureheads over the gate at Castles Shipbreaking Yard, Westminster, London, 1909
Ships figureheads over the gate at Castles Shipbreaking Yard, Baltic Wharf, Millbank, Westminster, London, March 1909. Entrance to the yard, with wooden figures salvaged from ships decorating the sign

Wreckers luring a ship onto rocks, 1850
3478532 Wreckers luring a ship onto rocks, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting wreckers luring a ship onto rocks by means of the lamp on the mounted man's back)

Wreckers luring a ship onto rocks, 1850
3478531 Wreckers luring a ship onto rocks, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting wreckers luring a ship onto rocks. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Raising HMS Eurydice in the Channel, off the Isle of Wight (engraving)
1621823 Raising HMS Eurydice in the Channel, off the Isle of Wight (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Raising HMS Eurydice in the Channel)

Raising the American Ship Isaac Wright, in the River Mersey, by Means of Palmers Patent Pump (engraving)
2771925 Raising the American Ship Isaac Wright, in the River Mersey, by Means of Palmers Patent Pump (engraving) by English School

The Raising of the Sunken Dredger, "Canton River, "at Hong-Kong, by Captain Percy Scott (b / w photo)
1593381 The Raising of the Sunken Dredger, " Canton River, " at Hong-Kong, by Captain Percy Scott (b/w photo) by English Photographer

The Wreck of the Eurydice, Divers examining a Wreck by the Submarine Light (engraving)
1590010 The Wreck of the Eurydice, Divers examining a Wreck by the Submarine Light (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Divers at Work on HMS Eurydice (engraving)
1589977 Divers at Work on HMS Eurydice (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Divers at Work on HMS Eurydice)

Visit of the Prince of Wales to the Wreck of HMS Eurydice in Sandown Bay (engraving)
1621855 Visit of the Prince of Wales to the Wreck of HMS Eurydice in Sandown Bay (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Raising of the "Ibex", the Vessel in Harbour at Guernsey (b / w photo)
1600043 The Raising of the " Ibex", the Vessel in Harbour at Guernsey (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Attempt to Raise HMS "Eurydice"(engraving)
1050042 The Attempt to Raise HMS " Eurydice" (engraving) by Atkins, William Edward (1842-1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Attempt to Raise HMS " Eurydice")

The Raising of the HMS "Eurydice"(engraving)
1059800 The Raising of the HMS " Eurydice" (engraving) by Atkins, William Edward (1842-1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Raising of the HMS " Eurydice")

The Raising of The Eurydice (engraving)
1059796 The Raising of The Eurydice (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Raising of The Eurydice)

Raising the Steamer Wolf, sunk in Belfast Lough (engraving)
1611423 Raising the Steamer Wolf, sunk in Belfast Lough (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Raising the Steamer Wolf, sunk in Belfast Lough)

Explorations in Vigo Bay, diving for Treasure sunk in 1702 (engraving)
2773770 Explorations in Vigo Bay, diving for Treasure sunk in 1702 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Explorations in Vigo Bay)

Fishing up Lost Anchors (engraving)
1591158 Fishing up Lost Anchors (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fishing up Lost Anchors. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 27 June 1885)

The Collision in the Solent, removing the Wreck of the Yacht Mistletoe (engraving)
1621293 The Collision in the Solent, removing the Wreck of the Yacht Mistletoe (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Collision in the Solent)

Divers exploring the Wreck of HMS Doterel, blown up in the Straits of Magellan (engraving)
1590537 Divers exploring the Wreck of HMS Doterel, blown up in the Straits of Magellan (engraving) by Overend, William Heysham (1851-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Marine Salvage in France (engraving)
1587202 Marine Salvage in France (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Marine Salvage in France)

Sale of Salvage from the Wreck of the Ida, at Lyons Bleaching Works, Old Kent Road (engraving)
2772509 Sale of Salvage from the Wreck of the Ida, at Lyons Bleaching Works, Old Kent Road (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Diving for the Stolen Watches at Blackfriars Bridge (engraving)
1610195 Diving for the Stolen Watches at Blackfriars Bridge (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Diving for the Stolen Watches at Blackfriars Bridge)

Diving Operations at the Wreck of the Vanguard, sketched from on Board HMS Amelia Despatch-Boat (engraving)
1621345 Diving Operations at the Wreck of the Vanguard, sketched from on Board HMS Amelia Despatch-Boat (engraving) by English School

Recovery of Treasure on Board the "Hamilla Mitchell"(engraving)
1052196 Recovery of Treasure on Board the " Hamilla Mitchell" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Discovery of Submerged Statues at Cerigo, the Divers at Work (b / w photo)
1593603 The Discovery of Submerged Statues at Cerigo, the Divers at Work (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Recovering the Cargo of the Carnatic off Shadwan, in the Gulf of Suez (engraving)
1104361 Recovering the Cargo of the Carnatic off Shadwan, in the Gulf of Suez (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Sea salvage, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Sea salvage, 1912

Preparing diver for sea salvage, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
Preparing diver for sea salvage, 1912

Huge figureheads at Castles Ship Breaking Yard, Westminster, London, 1909
Huge figureheads at Castles Ship Breaking Yard, 106 Millbank, Westminster, London, March 1909. Male and female figureheads from ships decorate the gate into the breakers yard

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"Unveiling the Secrets of the Deep: Marine Salvage Through Time" Step into the captivating world as we delve into historic moments that have shaped this extraordinary industry. From ships figureheads adorning Castles Shipbreaking Yard in Westminster, London in 1909 to the dramatic raising of HMS Eurydice off the Isle of Wight, these glimpses offer a window into a fascinating realm. Witnessing feats of engineering prowess, we are transported back to an era when Palmers Patent Pump played a pivotal role in salvaging American Ship Isaac Wright from the depths of River Mersey. The black and white photo captures Captain Percy Scott's triumph as he raises the sunken dredger "Canton River" at Hong-Kong – a testament to human ingenuity overcoming maritime challenges. The wrecks themselves become hauntingly beautiful subjects for exploration. Divers brave treacherous waters to examine HMS Eurydice, their presence illuminated by submarine light while engraving immortalizes their courageous work. Even royalty is drawn to witness such spectacles; Prince of Wales pays homage during his visit to Sandown Bay where HMS Eurydice met its tragic fate. Not limited by location or vessel type, Guernsey's harbor witnesses another triumphant moment with the raising of "Ibex, " captured forever in monochrome stillness. The attempt and ultimate success in raising HMS Eurydice further exemplify mankind's relentless pursuit against nature's forces. These engravings serve as visual testaments to resilience and determination within marine salvage history. Each image tells a unique story – from Belfast Lough's steamer Wolf being lifted from its watery grave to iconic scenes depicting The Raising of The Eurydice itself. As we reflect upon these remarkable achievements, let us celebrate those who dedicate their lives preserving our nautical heritage through marine salvage – unsung heroes who bring forgotten tales back to life and ensure that even the mightiest vessels are not lost to the depths forever.