Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A Treasure From An Old Sailing Vessel

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A few weeks ago I spotted this old metal box at an antique store. The gentleman who owns the store has a lot of maritime and nautical pieces for sale. There were many beautiful antique etchings of old clipper ships, wonderful old baskets, ironstone, ship gauges, compasses and then this……a tall and narrow black metal box.

I picked the box up and read the tag:

“A rare antique document box from an old clipper ship – The Falls of Bruar”.

There was something so uniquely special about this box. I love the chipped black paint and the Victorian font done in gold paint.

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As I held the box in my hands, I wondered to myself who once handled it and how many journeys had it made over the rough and tumultuous seas. What exactly did it hold? Old maps? Receipts? What kind of documents? Thoughts were spinning in my head. There was one thing though that I knew for sure, I just had to purchase the box. There was just something magical about it…..like finding an old lost friend.

After doing a little research about the box, I found that the Falls of Bruar was launched in 1879 at the shipyard of Russel & Co., Port Glasgow, Scotland for the Falls Line (Wright, Beakenridge & Co). The ship was named after The Falls of Bruar, which are a series of waterfalls on the Bruar Water in Scotland, about 8 miles from Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross.

The Falls of Bruar was a full-rigged four-masted iron ship built in 1879 by Russel & Co., Port Glasgow. Her dimensions are: 81,12×12,19×7,13 meters [266'2×40'0×23'5] and tonnage: 1808 GRT and 1740 NRT. Rigged with royal sails over double top and single topgallant sails.

Sadly enough, on September 2, 1887 the ship wrecked and sank 15 miles off Smith's Knoll on a voyage from Hamburg to Calcutta. That was 124 years ago tomorrow.

Below is a sister boat, The Falls of Halladale.

falls of halladale

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I have always loved nautical items, like the old clipper ship and light house picture above. Perhaps I am an old soul…..one who had ventured out on such a regal boat…sailing across high seas to reach a mysterious land. Or perhaps I waited on the widow watch for my loved one to return safely home from sea……carrying his love letter to me in the old metal document box. Maybe he even wore a kilt and played the bagpipes…..maybe….perhaps some things in life come full circle.

The box is a special treasure and an honor to own.

Ahoy mateys....

32 comments:

quiltingnana said...

what a wonderful story!

Skoots1moM said...

sounds like a GREAT book to me ...

Terri Gordon said...

Hello, Oh what a beautiful find, I love it. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week. Terri

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

What interesting history! It is amazing the stories behind "found" objects!

Hugs!

Terri Morse said...

This is a fabulous post. I love the stories old objects have to tell us. You really brought it to life with the photos and history. Terri

Anonymous said...

That's a great find and the story really adds to the specialness of the piece.

Di

FourSistersInACottage said...

WOW WEE BECKY!!!!
What an awesome treasure you have.
And we are so blessed to be lovers of vintage.
Love ya,
Amy

AntiqueChase said...

How timely that tomorrow is the 124th anniversary... beautiful story and research!!

JG said...

Historical objects are so fascinating! At the Springfied Museums I give art/history tours to school groups. As I was reading along, Hamburg, Calcutta, a clipper ship ...what was the cargo? Possibly manufactured goods from Germany en route to Calcutta? The return trip maybe treasured Tea from India?

What an interesting box with a history!

becky up the hill said...

Lovely story Becky. Amazing history.

Claudia said...

I love finding out the story behind a vintage piece. My goodness, it is so beautiful. We just don't make things that way anymore and it is a shame.
Enjoy!

xo
Claudia

Vee said...

That was so interesting! What a treasure you found and you're a treasure for knowing that it was one.

Dawn said...

Great find Becky. It's funny, I just finished reading a book about a kilt wearing Scottsman coming to America on such a ship. Okay, it was a romance novel but it was still full of interesting historical details! LOL!

Simply Shelley said...

Just the reason for my love of old things..such as your true treasure find ....they carry such a history of years foretold...sure can't bring anything home from Walmart to match that...I too am an old soul for sure and wouldn't have it any other way...blessing to you Becky...

Unknown said...

Awesome Post Becky! What a cool old vintage thingy! :) I love the story behind it.

~Liz

Pondside said...

What a lovely relic and beautifully written post to go with it. I, too, am drawn to maritime artifacts - but then I was born on an island and have chosen to live on another island.

Anonymous said...

We saw a wonderful vendor at an art fair in Virgina that featured stunning prints from old negatives. It was so much fun to browse, I picked a few sail boats (hard to believe) that I loved

Sinta Renee said...

What an extraordinary find! It really did speak to you. I love Nautical items also. It would be my dream to just "set sail"!

Brenda Pruitt said...

It is a treasure. And so is its story.
Brenda

Elsie said...

WOW...WOW...WOW...Becky that is a
wonderful story. I would like to know why wasn't the box on the ship when it sank. Where was the box at that time, and what papers
were in it. Wow I would do the same thing you did, wonder who had
held it before and who painted it and
what kind of papers did it hold. Oh my so many questions, I love history. Isn't it fun finding out
all about a wonderful find.":O)

Blondie's Journal said...

Amazingly interesting story, Becky! The sister ship was beautiful.

Some things just call to us. Your timing in buying the document box is almost eerie!

I hope you find many treasures to fit in it. Maybe someone will find them 124 years from now!

xoxo
Jane

Connie said...

Every item has a story doesn't it. We just have take the time to listen. Good post.

stefanie said...

what a great story for a gorgeous piece!

Diane Mars said...

What a wonderful Treasure that is indeed! And the boat is a lovely work of art. Thanks for sharing. oxox, Diane

ChaChaneen said...

I lurve it too when I learn the history behind something. It's like being Nancy Drew! ha ha

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What a wonderful treasure. I have a soft spot in my heart for things like that as my daughter is a tall ships sailor.

xo
Lynn

The Green Pea said...

Becky, you found a real treasure! hugs, sandi

Lallee said...

Becky, that is a wonderful treasure for you. How special that you were able to find the information on the ship!

Miss Jean said...

I think you knew in your soul that it was from a Scottish ship! How wonderful.

Kathleen Grace said...

What a beautiful find. It looks like the perfect place to keep love letters:>)

Molly the Airedale said...

What a great find and a wonderful story behind it!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Ann at the Handley Bungalow said...

Wow what a neat find! You have such fabulous treasures.