An Old Mug Survives - Exmouth Museum and Heritage Centre registered charity 291311
By: Museum
Added: 27 August 2014
Many years ago the Edwardes family from Exeter found a mug buried deep in the sand at Orcombe Point. They believed it was from the wreck of the ill-fated Tehwija back in 1907.
The family have recently donated this china mug to us. It has a picture of a Russian peasant driving geese to market and Pre-Revolution Russian script on the reverse.
Our research tells us that it depicts the fable "Geese" by Ivan Andreyevich Krylov (1769-1844).
Story of the Tehwija
Thls ill-fated three-masted sailing ship was smashed to pieces on Exmouth beach in October 1907 after a long voyage from the Baltic.
Leaving Finland on August 29th with a cargo of timber she was forced to take shelter due to bad weather but set off again and eventually arrived off Exmouth in a storm about 4pm on the evening of October 9th. Captain Baarman signalled for a pilot but it was impossible for the pilot boat to reach the ship so the captain stood out to sea and set his anchors.
When the port anchor chain snapped the ship headed towards Pole Sands – her rudder smashed and the crew were forced to take to the rigging.
Despite valiant efforts the Exmouth lifeboat could not reach her but the Teignmouth lifeboat was able to approach the Bar on a fair wind and take off the crew.
The ship itself split into three and was washed on to the sands at Orcombe Point surrounded by her cargo of timber.
The captain’s Pomeranian dog was so terrified that it could not be persuaded in to the lifeboat.
Miraculously, the dog survived the wreck and was re-united with the captain after being found on the beach.
Latest news
-
Town Fayre Coffee Morning
Topsham Museum
-
Games of Yesteryear an event for children
Topsham Museum
-
Help support Torquay Museum to bring British Museum Touring Exhibition to Torquay
Torquay Museum
-
July Lunchtime Lecture RAMM, a cracking museum
Topsham Museum
-
June Lunchtime Lecture: the History of Waste in Devon
Topsham Museum
-
Topsham Secret Gardens June 11th 2023 Tickets now on Sale!
Topsham Museum
-
Dawlish Museum Annual General Meeting For Members
Dawlish Museum
-
Birds and Bees Event for Children Tuesday 30th May
Topsham Museum
-
May Lecture: A Century of Film Costume Design
Topsham Museum
-
New Volunteers Welcome
Bampton Heritage and Visitor Centre
-
Bank Holiday Monday 8th May: Big Help Out
Topsham Museum
-
BOVEY TRACEY HERITAGE CENTRE REOPENS
Bovey Tracey Heritage Centre
-
Topsham Museum Opens for the 2023 Season
Topsham Museum
-
Children's Easter Trail
Topsham Museum
-
Pelé’s shirt on display at The Box 50 years after he played in Plymouth
The Box, Plymouth