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Thursday 24th October 2024 - Sharna Bennett
This November, maritime connoisseurs are in for a massive treat!
Lay’s Auctioneers, in collaboration with Charlestown Shipwreck Treasure Museum, will present “The Shipwreck Sales” — two back-to-back auctions offering a peek into the treasures of the deep.
Dates to Remember:
Both sales will take place at Lay’s Auctioneers in Cornwall — and with Easy Live Auction, participating couldn’t be easier—allowing collectors from around the world to join this fascinating event from the comfort of their homes.
Britain’s deep maritime history has always been a source of intrigue for the nation. Even today, our interest with the mystery of shipwrecks remains unbroken, much like it was in 1982 when the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s famous Tudor warship, was raised from the seabed.
But why are we so fascinated by shipwrecks? Steeped as they are in stories of adventure, loss, and discovery, maybe it’s the mix of romance and mystery. These ships—whether they were lost in battle, taken down by storms, or met some other tragic end—are like time capsules, frozen in their moment of doom. They offer us a glimpse into the past, into lives and events that were once so vibrant but are now part of the deep.
This month, Lay’s Auctioneers will bring that very same thrill to life through two spectacular sales, each steeped in rich history, some tragic and some curious, but each undeniably special.
Imagine holding the shoe of an 18th-century sailor who may have drowned at sea. It’s not just a relic—it’s a piece of someone’s life.
HMS Association, 1707, Isles of Scilly A Leather Shoe and Wooden Last Dived and discovered in 1967 by Richard Larn.
The Charlestown Shipwreck Museum Sale is set to offer over 1200 lots, meticulously catalogued from one of the UK’s most extraordinary maritime collections. These details are shared on Easy Live Auction, so when you look at something like a 19th century musket flint, you’re not just seeing an old vestige—what you’re actually seeing is a piece of the Earl of Abergavenny, captained by John Wordsworth, the brother of William Wordsworth. That connection to literary history, to the personal grief and tragedy behind the sinking, turns a simple object into something far more profound.
HMS Abergavenny, sunk in Weymouth Bay, 1805 A rare 56lb tin ingot Double-stamped though marine growth affected.
As the auction team at Lay’s Auctions worked through the plethora of artefacts, they were often left awe-struck. One particularly poignant item is a leather shoe from an 18th century sailor who perished in the wreck of HMS Association in 1707.
The shipwreck of Association was part of the Scilly Naval Disaster, one of the worst in British history. The wreck of HMS Association, Eagle, Romney, and Firebrand took nearly 2000 lives, including Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell. The loss of these ships, caused by navigational errors, shocked the nation and led to one of the most critical breakthroughs in maritime history — the invention of the marine chronometer by John Harrison, a tool that revolutionised navigation.
HMS Eagle, wrecked off The Isles of Scilly, 1707 — large piece of ornately carved wooden stern section or possible ornamentation from a side entry point, depicting a carved cherub and scrolling acanthus.
Remarkably, amongst the lots is a large section of ornately carved stern from HMS Eagle. Built between 1677 and 1679, the grandeur of this 70-gun ship is evident in the beauty of its remains, which will be on full display during the auction.
In addition to the museum collection, Lay’s Auctions will offer the Shipwreck Archive of Richard Larn OBE — a plethora of books, charts, research files, and artefacts personally salvaged by Larn.
Richard Larn’s illustrious career began in the Royal Navy, and he went on to become one of the world’s most celebrated wreck divers, discovering and documenting some of the most historically significant shipwrecks, including HMS Association.
A comprehensive record of Shipwrecks throughout Cornwall — A Consolidated Record of Shipwrecks in Twenty Files – Meticulously Copied and Printed from Archives and Libraries.
The archive consists of 1630 books, research materials from Larn’s monumental 10-year project, the Lloyd’s Shipwreck Index, and personal treasures that Larn himself recovered during his explorations. His work has shaped our understanding of shipwreck archaeology, and his contributions to maritime history are unmatched.
SS. Cheerful, wrecked 20th July 1885 Ingot of pure Cornish tin Double stamped with a cast Lamb and Flag at one end and ‘Williams’s, Harvey’s & Co, Hayle’ to the other.
Artefacts from shipwrecks are incredibly special — not just because they’re old, but because of what they represent. These objects have been hidden away for centuries, preserved by the ocean until they were finally brought to light. And now, thanks to the efforts of people like Richard Larn, we have the chance to share these stories with the world.
It’s not easy to find items from shipwrecks today. Since the Protection of Wrecks Act of 1973, strict laws have made it nearly impossible to dive on wreck sites without permission, and any findings have to be declared to authorities. This means the collection at Charlestown is incredibly rare — a collection assembled before these laws were put in place.
It’s a stark reminder that the ocean doesn’t easily give up its secrets—and when it does, those secrets are to be cherished!
A Wharton Williams 2W Diving Bell Saturation diving bell from the 1970s. Built by Wharton Williams for 2W, the company which salvaged 431 gold bars worth £40 million from HMS Edinburgh in 1981.
If you’re considering attending the auctions, but can’t make it to Penzance, there’s good news: Easy Live Auction brings the bidding straight to your screen.
Each auction, beginning with The Shipwreck Archive of Richard Larn OBE on 5th November, will be filled with unique lots from historic shipwrecks like HMS Royal Oak, the Titanic, and the SS Mohegan. These each hold stories of human endeavour, courage, and sometimes, immense loss — all of which can be explored in more detail in Lay’s Auctions’ sale, and on Easy Live Auction.
If you’ve ever been drawn to the mysteries of the sea, the romance of lost ships, or the tales hidden beneath the waves, this is your chance to dive deep into a fascinating world, immortalised by its tangibility. Join us for a week of unforgettable auctions, where the past comes alive in the present.
For full auction details and to place your bids, register now at Easy Live Auction, and browse the full catalogue here.