Special Heritage Events - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Special Heritage Events – RESIDENTS will get to immerse themselves in both local land global maritime pasts this summer, with two special heritage events

Special Heritage Events - RESIDENTS will get to immerse themselves in both local land global maritime pasts this summer, with two special heritage events

RESIDENTS will get to immerse themselves in both local land global maritime pasts this summer, with two special heritage events – from newly conserved artefacts recovered from a 17th century Southend shipwreck, to stepping aboard a working replica of Columbus’s ship.

This May, Southend Central Museum presents ‘The London Shipwreck: Her Final Voyage’, with never-before-seen finds from the wreck of the HMS London, a warship that sank off the Southend coast in the seventeenth century.

The exhibition tells the story of the final journey of the finds from the seabed to their ultimate home at Southend Museums, and the lives of those on board, through personal objects and ground-breaking conservation work.

The HMS London, which was part of a convoy sent in 1660 to collect Charles II from the Netherlands and restore him to the throne, was destroyed near Southend Pier on March 7th 1665.

That evening, in a report recorded by the famous diarist Samuel Pepys, the ship mysteriously exploded, resulting in the loss of all 300 souls on board.

The exhibition will feature an exceptionally rare 17th century gun carriage, navigational tools, and organic materials such as leather book covers, all painstakingly analysed and conserved through research commissioned by Historic England with conservation led by Angela Middleton, Senior Archaeological Conservator at Historic England.

Meanwhile, in July, the Nao Santa Maria, an accurate recreation of Christopher Columbus’ 1492 flagship, will sail into the Thames Estuary.

She will be docking at Southend Pier on July 1, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore a legendary vessel that played a significant role in global exploration.

The visit follows the popular 2024 appearance of the Galeón Andalucia, another replica Spanish ship, and continues Southend’s tradition of bringing iconic tall ships to the world’s longest pleasure pier.

Coun Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture, Music and Tourism, said: “This summer is a great opportunity to explore two very different maritime stories. ‘The London Shipwreck: Her Final Voyage’ is a powerful local story about tragedy and discovery off our own coastline.

“The Santa Maria, though not linked to Southend, is a striking example of the kinds of ships that shaped world history. Together, they offer a fascinating look at life at sea and are wonderful additions to our museum and summer events programme.”

The London Shipwreck: Her Final Voyage Southend Central Museum is open 31 May 2025 to 31 May 2026

Nao Santa Maria will be open to visitors 2 to 6 July 2025.

Picture: Nao Santa Maria.

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