Pooyll Vaaish; ceramic and glass collection

Date(s): 1993-1999

Creator(s): Centre for Manx Studies

Administration / Biographical History: During c.1993 the Manx Museum received a small collection of artefacts derived from a wreck off Scarlett (Pooyll Vaaish), this was investigated with the help of shipwreck researcher Adrian Corkill who had through personal research developed a database of over 750 shipwrecks from off the coast of the Isle of Man. In 1996 and 1998 PJD made further collections of material from the area. In January 1998 a series of sampling excavations was carried out along the shore to pinpoint the location of the wreck.

A study of the ceramic assemblages by PJD was published which described the distribution of the materials and their nature (Davey 1999). The apparent coherence of the assemblage led to the decision that they came from a single source. Their probable source was suggested as being the John Fairfield in 1834. The paper continued to an attempt at dating and considered questions of taste in domestic pottery during the first half of the nineteenth century. It also considered the importance of lighthouses and the contribution of wreck events in changes to insular perceptions of law and the political opposition which emerged during the 1830s and 1840s.

Study of clay pipes thought to be from the shipwreck Adgillus is also mentioned in the archive along with a suggestion of hoping to co-ordinate the activities of diving clubs on the island with the aim of giving them a more serious interest in the thousand or so wrecks around the coast.

People:
Peter Davey (PJD) & Adrian Corkill, David Barker (Henley City Museum and Art Gallery), Prof. John C Belchem, E Myra Brown (Liverpool Museum), Jeanette Castle (Carnegie Librarian, South Ayrshire), E. A. Collard (Ottawa), Mike Cook (Liverpool university archivist), Prof. Peter Davies (University of Liverpool), Amy Earls, Andrew Foxon (ADF), Dr David A Furniss, Pauline Gallagher (Ayrshire archives), David Gibbins (Marine Archaeology, University of Liverpool), Pat Halfpenny, E. I. Kwasnik (South Ayrshire Council, Museums and Galleries manager), Sue Palmer, Michael Porter (Scottish Maritime Museum), Jonathan Rickard, Zillah Sayle, F. Sibson (Cumbria), J.M. Wright (National Maritime museum).

Language: English

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: SERIES

ID number: MS 14146/24

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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