Colour photograph of the captain of the Queen Mary cruise ship preparing to drop a wreath commemorating the wrecking of the destroyer HMS Sturdy at Sandaig during WWII.
Organised by Commander Michael Gibson of Plymouth, the wreath was thrown overboard in the summer of 2015 as the Queen Mary cruised past the Hebrides. HMS Sturdy foundered during a storm in October 1940. Five lives were lost, but were it not for the actions of Tiree folk, in particular Captain Donald Sinclair, the toll would have been much higher. The dedication on the wreath reads: “Dedicated to the bravery of Captain Donald Sinclair and those who helped in the rescue effort of HMS Sturdy and in remembrance of all those lost on Empire Eland in 1941”. Captain Sinclair was on the Empire Eland when it was torpedoed by a U-boat in the Atlantic.
Colour photograph of a wreath commemorating the wrecking of the destroyer HMS Sturdy during WWII. It is being held by the captain of the Queen Mary cruise ship.
Organised by Commander Michael Gibson of Plymouth, the wreath was thrown overboard in the summer of 2015 as the Queen Mary cruised past the Hebrides. HMS Sturdy foundered on rocks at Sandaig during a storm in October 1940. Five lives were lost, but were it not for the actions of Tiree folk, in particular Captain Donald Sinclair, the toll would have been much higher. The dedication on the wreath reads: “Dedicated to the bravery of Captain Donald Sinclair and those who helped in the rescue effort of HMS Sturdy and in remembrance of all those lost on Empire Eland in 1941”. Captain Sinclair was on the Empire Eland when it was torpedoed by a U-boat in the Atlantic.
Colour photograph of the captain and crew of the Queen Mary cruise ship with a wreath commemorating the wrecking of the destroyer HMS Sturdy on rocks at Sandaig during WWII.
Organised by Commander Michael Gibson of Plymouth, the wreath was thrown overboard in the summer of 2015 as the Queen Mary cruised past the Hebrides. HMS Sturdy foundered during a storm in October 1940. Five lives were lost, but were it not for the actions of Tiree folk, in particular Captain Donald Sinclair, the toll would have been much higher. The dedication on the wreath reads: “Dedicated to the bravery of Captain Donald Sinclair and those who helped in the rescue effort of HMS Sturdy and in remembrance of all those lost on Empire Eland in 1941”. Captain Sinclair was on the Empire Eland when it was torpedoed by a U-boat in the Atlantic.
Colour brochure about the Thatched Cottage Museum at Sandaig, produced after the buildings had been restored by The Hebridean Trust and made open to the public around 1995. Contains information on construction and the layout of the house, byre and barn, and tools found therein. The museum was closed and sold into private ownership in 2010.
A sea mine recently discovered under gravel on the Sandaig shore, is now on display outside An Iodhlann. When a Bomb Disposal Team dug up the mine on the 3rd of August, it was found to be empty of explosive, safe and reasonably intact. We have positioned it so that its innards are visible, as well as the locations of detonation horns and the hole where a time-sensitive self-destruct mechanism was installed. Hundreds of pebbles and shells are fused onto its surface. Tens of thousands of similar mines were laid around the Hebrides and the North Sea during the first and second world wars.
Collection of 24 colour photographic prints of the retirement party of Flora ??? held in The Glassary restaurant, Sandaig, in the 1990s. Flora worked at Tiree High School. Includes photo V160.
Collection of 18 postcards of photographs of Tiree, 1920-1960
Collection of 18 original postcards showing photographed scenes from Tiree, some of which are used and stamped. Most are duplicates of existing archive items. Six scanned and accessioned separately (V121-V126).
Audio recording of Albert Gallier – survivor of HMS Sturdy wreck in 1940
Audio recording of Albert Gallier being interviewed by Dr John Holliday on 11 Oct 2012, about the fatal wrecking of the destroyer HMS Sturdy which ran onto rocks at Sandaig in 1940. Albert is one of the few surviving members of the crew that were on the ship that night, and recalls his memories of the event.
Brass 4mm Mark 4 Bofors anti-aircraft shell manufactured by RLB (Royal Laboratory, Birtley) in 1955, and found in the refuse dump at Sandaig. Possibly originated from military presence on Tiree during the Cold War.
