A new exhibition exploring the Isle of Man’s remarkable maritime heritage and honouring the 200^th anniversary of the RNLI opened at the House of Manannan on Saturday 17 February 2024.

‘All at Sea’ uncovers some of the tragic events in Manx waters which motivated Manx resident, Sir William Hillary to establish a national maritime lifesaving institution.

Allison Fox, Manx National Heritage Curator for Archaeology said:

“Over two thousand ships have tragically met their final fate around the coast of the Isle of Man.  All have a place in our Island’s history from trawlers to merchant vessels, paddle steamers, lifeboats and leisure crafts.

The fate of more than twenty vessels are explored in ’All at Sea’, alongside lifesaving equipment, medals and poignant objects from the Island’s shipwrecks.  The gold medal awarded to Sir William Hillary for founding the RNLI has kindly been loaned to the exhibition by the RNLI Heritage Collection Trust.  The medal features three men pulling another from the sea alongside a quotation from Psalm 69: ‘Let not the deep swallow me up’.

Manx National Heritage extends thanks to all those who have supported the exhibition including researcher, Adrian Corkill, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution”.

Hundreds of maritime themed images have been added to iMuseum.im as part new exhibition All at Sea, exploring the Isle of Man’s remarkable maritime heritage and honouring the 200th anniversary of the RNLI: https://bit.ly/49G1SW0.

Pictured (from left) is Harry Sharpe, Bowman of the Ramsey lifeboat RNLB Anna Maria Lee; Ramsey lifeboat men Oscar Corlett, J.K. Gawne and Coxwain Harry Corkish. These men participated in some 60 rescues. Click here: https://bit.ly/49G1SW0 to see this historic photograph along with many others from Manx National Heritage Collections on iMuseum.im.

‘All at Sea’ is on display from Saturday 17 February 2024 until 5 January 2025 at the House of Manannan in Peel. Admission is free, with donations welcome.