Colossus

In 1798 The HMS Colossus foundered in bad weather off the Isles of Scilly. Laden with antiquities from the Sir William Hamilton collection the Colossus was the only vessel to return unscathed from Nelsons ill fated Batlle of the Nile.

In 2002 a local diver discovered a rare find, the remarkably preserved Colossus sternboard, carved into a near twice life size figure of a neo-classical man.

Since reclaimed and preserved by the Mary Rose Trust, the Colossus projects aims to display and exhibit this unique and nationally important piece of marine archaeological history within a custom designed freely accessible exhibition. The exhibition which will draw attention to not only the importance of the Colossus, but also the overwhelming importance of the marine heritage of the Isles of Scilly has been developed by the Isles of Scilly Marine Heritage Trust with support from both the Briish Museum and the National Maritime Museum.