life ring or buoy from HMS Manxman
Date made: mid 20th century
Description: This life buoy is from the Royal Navy minelayer HMS Manxman. Launched in 1941, she was remembered as being remarkably fast. Manxman had an eventful war, taking part in operations in the Mediterranean and later in the Far East as part of the British Pacific Fleet. In the 1950s she was deployed during the Suez Crisis, and in the 1960s was stationed at Singapore. During this time her mascot was a Manx cat named Orry. Manxman was eventually scrapped in 1973.
HMS Manxman made a visit to the Isle of Man in September 1946, bringing with her a number of official gifts, including a Japanese officer’s sword from the Japanese surrender ceremony the previous year, and this life ring. Shortly after her launch she was adopted by the Manx people, and there remained a close association between the ship and the Island for the remainder of her service.
Measurements: overall: 7 x 76 cm
Materials: canvas, paint, wood
Object name: buoy
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2005-0146
Subject tags : #MM100