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Smyrna Home Page | Meet the team | Images from the wreck
Historic Images | Online Article | The Clipper ships
All Smyrna pages/images/text unless stated ©Leigh Bishop 2002 all rights reserved
Smyrna Shipwreck Artifacts
A virtual collection of artifacts recovered from the wreck of the
Smyrna in the English Channel from a depth of 190ft.

Artifacts have been recovered from the Clipper shipwreck Smyrna since she was discovered in June 1993. From original research carried out by Dave Wendes it was just a matter of time before the wreck was positively identified. Later that same year a plate was discovered clearly marked with the Aberdeen white star line company crest. In the early days just after the wreck was discovered one diver described locating what looked not unlike a viking shield although at the time was influenced by narcosis and had not means of lifting the said artifact. That same diver looked for that same shield on subsequent dives as did Dave Wendes although none of the divers could locate the artifact. Almost a decade later the moving sands reveled the said shield once again and a colleague of Dave Wendes recovered the shield only to find out it was in fact the builders plate with the name of the wreck clearly marked over the date Smyrna 1876.

Above left; The builders plate recovered from the remains of the wreck Smyrna and restored to original condition.

Left; As the plate was when she was discovered in 2002. This picture was taken off the back of the Isle of Wight aboard Wight Spirit.

Soon after the wreck was discovered the divers sourced notes for the guidance of intending salvors then soon after became salvers in po cession. Many of the artifacts have been fully restored however appear on deep image collectively here for the first time. The actual ships bell of Smyrna has never been found and is thought to be hidden amongst the wreck still to this day. Quite possibly the shifting sands will at one time revile this prize artifact, the sand / gravel location Smyrna rests over moves periodically and uncovers new artifacts each year as well as covering old.



Above and left; In late season 1993 Danny Purchase discovered a plate in the depths of the English Channel amongst the wreck of Smyrna. The company crest of the Aberdeen White Star line was clear enabling Dave Wendes to put a positive identification of the discovery of one of the only lost Clipper ships to British waters know by divers.
Left; A trio of beautifully decorated picture frames located at the bow section of the wreck. These elegant frames are finished in the shape of blackberry leaves and berries.
It is unclear if these were actually personal belongings or part of the cargo.

These artifacts were recovered from the bow section of the wreck.
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Left;
A collection of various artifacts recovered from the wreck by deepimage author Leigh Bishop, that can now be seen on display. A rare porthole lies amongst these finds as do complete chamber pots and a fully intact victoria Soda Siphon.

Left;

A number of various flagons and stone jars have been recovered and include both single and two gallon flagons marmalade jars, bottles of cider teapots and other unknown jars.
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Left;
Two more restored deadeye's amongst various bottles and jars. The deadeye's have been preserved for a period of time in a specific chemical to draw the salt water from within and thus contain the integrity of the wood in order that they do not breakdown over time. Note the small egg holders and another early porthole, all the portholes discovered were made of obvious hand cut glass.
Left;
Several different types of chamber pots were discovered on the Smyrna, these two on display here were among the very first to be recovered and are preserved in excellent condition, the example to the right still with a delicately embossed lid.
Left;
So many various bottles still lie amongst the wreck today many of which were cargo destined for Sydney Australia. Many of these bottles several that can be seen recovered here to the left were blown specifically for acids and poisons others for milk while some divers have recovered examples of the rare half-size Codd bottles. Other bottles recovered include vinegar bottles and ink bottles.
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Above; Deep Image web author Leigh Bishop with a rare intact Victorian Soda Siphon known specifically as seltzogenes

Right; Early Smyrna diver 'David Routely' with examples of an intact Flagon and chamber pot after a late evening dive to the wreck during the English Summer season.

Left;
Amazingly diver Rob Cook discovered this rare telescope on the wreck of Smyrna during an early season dive after winter storms had uncovered previously unseen sections of the wreck.

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Above left; Two gallon flagons recovered from the wreck were discovered
marked clearly with Elliot Bros of Sydney & Brisbane. This example still
has its stopper in the neck.
Right; Some of the early English divers that first investigated the wreck.
Many of the artifacts these divers have discovered have been restored
and displayed by themselves alone. Dave Wendes the man who led the
initial search for the wreck is pictured bottom right.
Left;
A collection of the millstones recovered by the divers. Here various smaller sharpening stones can be seen at the forefront of the picture. The size of the larger stones makes recovery somewhat difficult.

Left;

Mark Ekins and David 'Daz' Collins with a haul of recovery's from the Smyrna aboard the dive vessel James Alexander during the early 1990's.
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Above; A collection of various stone jars recovered from the Smyrna between
1993 and 1995.

Left;

Va uses have also been recovered from the wreck and include various designs originally destined for the new world of Australia. Here a display of a collective type and design can be seen, recovered and restored.
Right;
A collection of various sized Victorian Soda Siphons known specifically as seltzogenes. Early examples recovered were found intact with the silver caps and delicately preserved glass internal draw straws.

Left & right; Flagon and teapot recovery's aboard a dive charter boat out in the English Channel. Here some of the early old English son of crusts can be seen that first investigated many of the deeper wrecks off the Isle of Wight England including the Smyrna.

Images © Leigh Bishop with special thanks to Dave Wendes and Nick Legrass for the loan
of some of these artifact displayed images.
     

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