The Collection has a wide range of physical artefacts including ship models large and small, ship telegraphs, bells, chairs and seats, lifebelts, mechanical parts, and a ship’s wheel.
A memorial card commemorating the loss of nearly 700 hundred passengers who perished on the sinking of the PS Princess Alice on the Thames at Woolwich on 3rd September 1878. It was produced as a commemorative souvenir to mark the tragic event. Unknown PurchaseA print of the front cover from the ‘Illustrated London News’ of Saturday 14th September 1878 showing a scene with the dead being brought ashore from the PS Princess Alice on the River Thames at Woolwich. Illustrated Evening News Donation A handmade wooden box made to commemorate the loss of life aboard the PS Princess Alice on the River Thames on 3rd September 1878. On the underside of the lid is an original handwritten paper label with the following text “This wood formed a portion of the wreck of the SS Princess Alice which sank in the Thames on Sept 3rd 1878 and over 600 lives were lost”. Unknown DonationA ceramic cup and saucer used by Red Funnel from around the 1950s onwards. Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd. PurchaseA ceramic milk jug and bowl used by Cosens aboard their steamers from around the 1950s and 1960s. Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd.A ceramic coffee pot used at the Wight Marina on the Isle of Wight circa 1970 when the PS Ryde and PS Medway Queen were moored as a floating pub, club and leisure facility at Binfield Marina. Dunn Bennett & Co Ltd.A silver plated sugar bowl used by the General Steam Navigation Company on their paddle and pleasure steamers. It bears the engraved script initials “GSNC” on the front. Mappin & WebbA silver-plated teapot used by P & A Campbell aboard their steamers up until the 1970s. It has their company emblem engraved upon the front. Walker & HallA silver-plated large sugar bowl made in 1899 used by P & A Campbell aboard their steamers. The company initials are engraved on the side. The bowl is hallmarked. lkington PurchaseA silver-plated salver or tray used by P & A Campbell aboard their steamers up until the 1970s. It has their company emblem engraved on the front. Walker & Hall DonationA silver hallmarked fruit bowl present to a Mrs Ballantyne in recognition of her launching the PS Mercury in 1934. At the centre of the interior of the bowl is an inscription thanking Mrs Ballantyne for launching the PS Mercury. Fairfield S B & E Co Ltd. | DonationA wooden launch mallet used to launch the PS Mercury on 16th January 1934. Fairfield S B & E Co Ltd. DonationA wooden presentation box made to house the launch mallet used to launch the PS Mercury on 16th January 1934. The interior of the box is lined in purple-coloured velvet. Fairfield S B & E Co Ltd. | DonationA starboard paddle box emblem from the PS Royal Sovereign. It shows the head of Queen Victoria at its centre and is made in three separate pieces. Fairfield S B & E Co Ltd. | Ted Groom CollectionA brass dining saloon plaque mounted on wood from the PS La Marguerite. Fairfield S B & E Co Ltd. | Ted Groom CollectionA wooden fire bucket from PS La Marguerite. Fairfield S B & E Co Ltd. | Ted Groom CollectionA card from the 1920’s advertising PS Royal Sovereign and Belle Steamers. Unknown | Ted Groom CollectionA brass builders plate from the PS London Belle. William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton | Ted Groom CollectionA clock with a painted metal mount and brass frame from the PS Royal Eagle and was removed when she was scrapped in the early 1950s. The clock has roman numerals and a key for winding. Lilley & Reynolds PurchaseA large brass ship’s bell from the PS Bristol Queen. Unknown PurchaseA wooden and canvas deckchair from the PS Crested Eagle which folds in a concertina style for storage. The original canvas covers were pale blue. Unknown Purchase
Ephemera
The ephemera collection consists mainly of paper items designed not to last. As well as souvenirs these include leaflets, newspaper cuttings, guides, menus and general correspondence.
Page under construction and getting ready to launch.
