A new exhibition at Southend Central Museum entitled “The London Shipwreck: Her Final Voyage” is providing people with a glimpse into the lives of sailors on a 17th-century English warship. Through rare, previously unseen objects, the exhibition charts the ship’s history and the careful conservation process that has preserved its legacy.
The exhibition is centered around the London, a warship built between 1654 and 1656 in Chatham during the tumultuous Interregnum period. Serving Cromwell’s navy and the later Royalist fleet following the Restoration, the London played a central role in significant events in history. It fought during the Anglo-Spanish War and was part of the fleet that brought Charles II back from exile in the Netherlands with his brother, the future King James II and VII.
Regrettably, in 1665 the London was destroyed in a catastrophic gunpowder explosion in the Thames Estuary, which resulted in around 300 fatalities and was famously recorded in Samuel Pepys’ diary. The cause of the explosion is not known.
While Southend Central Museum previously examined the shipwreck’s history—featuring a remarkably well-preserved cannon from the wreck—this new exhibit goes further still. It displays recent advances in archaeological science and intensive conservation efforts that have revealed intimate details about life aboard the London.
Visitors can now view a collection of organic objects that rarely survive underwater, such as leather book covers and personal belongings. These artifacts have been carefully recovered, analyzed, and conserved following an academic research project by Historic England, with conservation led by Angela Middleton, Senior Archaeological Conservator. A comprehensive monograph documenting the excavation and conservation is forthcoming from Cotswold Archaeology.
One of the exhibition’s highlights is a 17th-century wooden gun carriage, one of only a few known to have survived from this era. Never previously displayed to the public, this unique item shows the wonderful craftsmanship of the time and the technical challenges involved in keeping waterlogged wood intact.
In addition to showing historic objects, “The London Shipwreck: Her Final Voyage” contains interactive and educational elements, making it suitable for people of all ages. Children and families can learn through hands-on displays that reveal the behind-the-scenes processes of maritime archaeology and object conservation.
Jools McCusker Maxwell, Curator of Archaeology at Southend Museums, shared her excitement: “This exhibition has been a wonderful opportunity to display a selection of the extensive collection of London objects that we hold at Southend Museums. Exploring the painstaking conservation and expert analyses of the objects, alongside the historical narrative of life on board, we hope ‘The London Shipwreck: Her Final Voyage’ will enlighten visitors on what happens to archaeological objects after they are excavated. The story of the London shipwreck has captivated locals and is a site of international significance. We can’t wait for visitors from the local community and beyond to experience the show.”
More information: Southend Museums
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