5.30pm – 7.30pm Thursday 21 August
Scottish Maritime Museum
Irvine Harbourside
Maritime explorer Graeme Bruce will share the incredible story behind one of Scotland’s most significant recent underwater discoveries — a hidden cargo of rare 19th century ceramics – at the Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine Harbourside at 5.30pm on Thursday 21 August and tickets are £8 and available HERE
During his talk, ‘From Seabed to Exhibition’, Graeme, a retired engineer and lifelong diver from Oban, will recount how he and his team of seven divers discovered the almost intact cargo of beautifully preserved Glasgow-made Bell’s Pottery ceramics on the wreck of the SS Eagle, off Arran last July.
While the iron structure of the 1857 steamship had succumbed to time and tide, the fragile pottery had survived in remarkable condition 53 metres beneath the waves for over 160 years.
Now on display for the first time in the Scottish Maritime Museum’s ‘Beneath the Waves’ summer exhibition, these ceramics are a fascinating window into Glasgow’s historic ceramics industry and 19th century maritime trade.
Indeed, due to the scarcity of surviving examples from Glasgow’s once-thriving ceramics period (1748–1980s), this intact cargo of Bell’s Pottery is considered nationally significant.
During the talk, Graeme will share behind-the-scenes insights into the deep-sea expedition, led alongside his dive team: Jason Coles (skipper), Nathan Messer (trip organiser), Martin Sharpe, John Eden, Mike Robinson and Adam Bolton.
He’ll explain the complex recovery techniques and archaeological care required to retrieve such delicate artefacts from the seabed and delve into the process of preserving and interpreting the ceramics for public display.
Graeme will also explore the significance of the Bell’s Pottery collection and the story of SS Eagle, which tragically sank in 1859 whilst en route to Londonderry with eleven lives lost.
Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says:
We’re thrilled that Graeme chose the Scottish Maritime Museum as the venue to unveil this extraordinary discovery. Whilst viewing the ceramics in the exhibition is fascinating in itself, hearing the story first-hand from the diver who uncovered them brings the history to life in a truly powerful way.
“Graeme has dedicated decades to exploring Scotland’s underwater heritage. His deep knowledge of maritime archaeology and his diving expeditions have led to some incredible finds and his talk is sure to captivate visitors of all ages.”
Graeme Bruce adds:
Diving has been my passion for 35 years. Every shipwreck is a time capsule. To recover artefacts like these and see them given new life in a space like the Scottish Maritime Museum, where they can connect people with their history, is a profound experience. I’m excited to share the story behind the discovery with visitors.”
About the SS Eagle
Launched in 1857 from the Dumbarton shipyard of Alexander Denny, the 324 tonne early steamboat SS Eagle served as a passenger and cargo vessel for the McConnel and Laird Line of Glasgow. The vessel sank in November 1859 after colliding with a sailing vessel whilst en route to Londonderry with fifty four passengers and a cargo of 200 sheep and the now rescued ceramics. Eleven lives were lost.
About Bell’s Pottery
In the 19th century, Glasgow was a major centre for the production of ceramics and rivalled the Staffordshire potteries. Bell’s Pottery was founded in the city around 1840 by brothers John and Matthew Perston Bell. It became one of Scotland’s most renowned ceramic manufacturers with goods exported as far afield as South America and the Far East.
About Beneath the Waves
The SS Eagle ceramics are on display in the Museum’s ‘Beneath the Waves’ exhibition which runs until 13 September. The exhibition also features award-winning underwater photography by photographer, marine conservationist and writer Lawson Wood and stunning marine sketches by Ayrshire underwater artist and writer Christina Riley.
Tickets for ‘From Seabed to Exhibition’ are priced £8 and available HERE
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Issued on behalf of the Scottish Maritime Museum by
Joanna Harrison, Mobile: 07884 187404
