Insurance claim receipt made out to MacLaren Grain and Co., 1885. The claim was to recoup losses as a result of the steamship ‘Ardandhu’ colliding in 1883. Paid out by the insurance company William Euing & Co. Brokers. Before this incident, in 1881, the SS Ardandhu sank after colliding with another ship on the River Clyde. It went on to become wrecked on Hough Skerries off the west coast of Tiree during a storm in 1891.
Sepia portrait photograph of Sam Stevenson, Scarinish, in Highland Light Infantry uniform with two army friends in around 1915. On the reverse, is handwritten ‘Dear Jean, I am yours always, with love, Sam’. Jean (Jane) Campbell and Sam were married in 1914, just before he joined up.
Metal and cotton candle extinguisher from Ruaig, ca 1930-1950.
Squat, round, brass, paraffin lamp from Ruaig, 1925-1950.
Brass Tilley lamp from Ruaig, used in around 1925-1950. Similar to 2002.73.1 but complete with wick, mantle and glass globe. Tilley lamps were named after John Tilley, inventor of the hydro-pneumatic blowpipe in the early 1800s. Domestic Tilley lamps were fuelled with paraffin, which was pressurised by use of a pump on the base.
Porthole from the WWII warship, HMS Sturdy, which was wrecked on rocks off Sandaig during a storm in 1940. The porthole has been re-painted by Donald Brown, Vaul, and decorated with a sketch of the ship. The stainless steel bolts and backing (made from an old fish box) were added by Donald.
Iron hand-hook used for grabbing and lifting bags of grain when transferring them from the ship’s hold to the winching cradle in Scarinish Harbour.
Dainty, brass, lady’s cigarette lighter from WWII.
Glass and metal glue dispenser from around 1930-1960. Possibly used at one of the island’s Post Offices for sticking down envelopes and stamps. The glue would have been dispensed by rolling the wheel along the surface.
White, round, cotton, canvas, ‘pork-pie’ hat made for a ship’s cook.
