An update to our recent blog about the unusual cases in which marine barometers from The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society, better known as the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, are found.

As previously posted, The Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society gave many awards and prizes for heroic endeavours over the years, generally as medals but also in the form of aneroid marine barometers sourced from Dollond with whom they had a solid long term business relationship. In special circumstances, these barometers were presented in oak boxes or housed in carved mantle stands, and one such honoured captain was even presented with a barograph.

However, here is something that can be truly labelled “unique” – a silver cased Dollond marine barometer in carved stand! The records of the Society show that this is the only such silver barometer awarded.

From the SFMS archives:

1899 – Southampton

The Committee have presented to Mr BA Forrow, RNR, the Society’s Hon. Agent at Southampton, one of their Aneroid Barometers specially mounted in silver, in recognition of the part taken by him in securing the handsome legacy* from the late Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild recorded in our last issue, and also in testimony generally of his zealous assistance.

(*The sum of £3,235 8s 8d, the share derived by the Society from the sale of the late Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s steam yacht Rona).

This Dollond marine barometer remaining in untouched condition, the silver is considerably tarnished, and the barometer awaits full conservation and servicing. The dial, case, bezel and presentation plaque all carrying full hallmarks.

For further examples of SFMS marine barometers, enter “Shipwrecked” in the key word search box to the lefthand side of the web site.

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