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Cemaes Bay Maritime Collection
Twelve shipwrecks off the North Anglesey coast form the backbone of the Cemaes Bay Maritime Collection. This Cemaes Bay collection houses a series of pictures, photos and memorabilia charting the development, and tragedies, of shipping through the ages.
Mention the Royal Charter or the Hindlea, and most of you will have some knowledge of these infamous wrecks off the Anglesey coast. However, not as many of us are possibly so familiar with the number of shipwrecks recorded off the Northern coast of Anglesey. It is this 12 miles of coastline between the Skerries Lighthouse to the West and the Lighthouse at Point Lynas to the East which is the focus of David and Sandi Birkett Evans’ collection. The Northern coast of Anglesey lies on the main shipping route to Liverpool and at one time during the nineteenth Century no less than twenty seven per cent of world trade passed through the port of Liverpool.
The Northern coast of Anglesey lies on the main shipping route to Liverpool and at one time during the nineteenth Century no less than twenty seven per cent of world trade passed through the port of Liverpool. In the area one mile to the West of the Skerries to a mile to the East of Lynas and stretching ten miles out to sea, two hundred shipwrecks have been recorded, but there must have been many, many more. The centrepiece of the Cemaes Bay Maritime Collection consists of twelve original paintings depicting each of the disasters, which David and Sandi commissioned Moelfre artist Keith Shone to paint. This was a complete departure from anything Keith had tackled before and involved painstakingly researching maritime encyclopedia for technical specifications for each ship before putting his ideas on paper.
Although not representative of his usual work, the results are striking and bring to life the horrors of the day tragedy struck. The earliest shipwreck featured is that of the Royal Yacht “The Mary” sunk off the Skerries in 1675, and the final disaster featured is of the steamship, Castillian, sunk in 1943.
David and Sandi’s enthusiasm for the subject is immediately obvious from the attention to detail and the care taken in putting the collection together.
David’s interest in maritime history spans many years of dedicated research. The book which accompanies the exhibition, Troubled Waters, is available for purchase, and has involved many local people and organisations as well as more far flung contacts.
Some items have been donated by locals whereas others have been purchased through a keen and regular eye on internet auctions. David and Sandi Birkett Evans are to be congratulated on putting together such an interesting, varied and aesthetically pleasing collection and it is well worth arranging to pay a visit. Contact Sandi/David on 01407 710650 There is no entrance fee but donations to the RNLI are appreciated.
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The Cemaes Bay Maritime Collection is housed in a well lit and very welcoming area.
