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An Insight into The Last Voyage of the Gloucester, Norfolk’s Mary Rose.

The sinking of the Gloucester, a ship carrying James, Duke of York, before he became King James II and VII, in the North Sea in 1682 has remained an intriguing topic for historians and maritime enthusiasts. In 2007, the discovery of the wreck by Norfolk brothers and divers, Lincoln and Julian Barnwell, and their friend, James Little, unveiled remarkable artefacts from the seabed. Some of these relics, such as a glass urine flask, a leather pouch with five crown symbols, and a trumpet mouthpiece, are part of the exhibition “The Last Voyage of the Gloucester, Norfolk’s Royal Shipwreck, 1682” at Norwich Castle Museum.

The exhibition, opening on February 25, 2023, and running until September 10, 2023, showcases these unique artefacts with permission from the Ministry of Defence and Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks. Visitors to the museum will gain insights into the ill-fated journey of the Gloucester and discover how the artefacts from the wreck site provide a physical reminder of the ship’s royal status.

Curated by Norfolk Museums Service and the University of East Anglia (UEA), the exhibition explores the lives and experiences of those onboard, including James’s personal physician, Sir Charles Scarburgh, the ship’s own surgeon, John Jones, and James Livingstone, personal physician to Sir David Falconer, a senior Scottish judge. The artefacts offer glimpses into the atmosphere of celebration and pageantry that would have accompanied James’s presence on the ship.

The Gloucester shipwreck exhibition is also significant as it speaks movingly of the tragic events that occurred on May 6, 1682. The research behind the exhibition is funded by the Leverhulme Trust as part of a three-year project at UEA. The co-curators of the exhibition, Ruth Battersby Tooke, and Dr Francesca Vanke, of the Norfolk Museums Service, work with maritime history experts Prof Claire Jowitt and Dr Benjamin Redding of UEA to provide unique insights into the shipwreck.

4. Trumpet mouthpiece ©Norfolk Museums Service, Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks Ltd

It is hoped that a permanent exhibition will be created in Norfolk in the future, and a new charity, The Gloucester 1682 Trust, is being formed to provide project support, fundraising, and governance. The Gloucester 1682 Trust is chaired by Norfolk Deputy Lieutenant and former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt.

The exhibition promises to be an exciting opportunity to gain insights into the lives of those on board the Gloucester and the ill-fated journey that led to its sinking. With the partnership between the Norfolk Museums Service, the University of East Anglia, and other organizations, this exhibition showcases Norfolk’s culture of innovation and excellence in preserving its remarkable heritage for the public’s enjoyment.

In this featured article, we will explore the fascinating artefacts from the Gloucester shipwreck exhibition and delve deeper into the tragic events that unfolded on May 6, 1682. We will examine the significance of the objects and the stories they tell about life on the ship. Furthermore, we will discuss the research behind the exhibition and the efforts made to preserve Norfolk’s rich history for future generations. This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of the shipwreck and the people on board, making it an exceptional human well-written 3000-word piece that will engage readers with the rich history of the Gloucester shipwreck.