Fears that a collection of ‘priceless artefacts’ from Britain’s long and storied history of shipwrecks would be lost to auction this week have finally been reprieved, thanks to a last-minute rescue mission made by the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust (MAST) that has left ocean historians exhaling a deep sigh of relief.

A Cornish museum dedicated to a history of shipwrecks had planned to put its entire collection of some 7,000 artefacts and items up for auction this week, having failed all previous attempts to sell the treasure trove off as one single unit.

The Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown, near St Austell in Cornwall – a beloved museum owned by Sir Tim Smit, founder of Cornwall’s Eden Project – landed on the market this summer waving a £1.95 million price tag. It was hoped at the time that the Museum and its exhibits could be sold off as one, keeping the collection together.

Failing to find a buyer, however, it was decided the collection would go under the hammer this week.

At 7,000 items in total, it’s been recognised as one of the largest collections of maritime artefacts and memorabilia in the UK. Among its most prized items are materials from no fewer than 12 Designated Protected Wrecks sharing the same status as the Mary Rose, alongside those retrieved from multiple Royal Navy warships such as the HMS Ramilies, HMS Association, and English and Dutch East India Company wrecks.

As the date of the auction grew nearer, fears among historians rose that the collection of ‘priceless treasures’ would soon be dispersed and lost to private ownership. But, in a final-hour deal secured by the team at MAST, a selection of 514 of the most prized and valued items were rescued from this uncertain fate.

“I am delighted and relieved in equal measure that MAST has been to save this priceless collection that can tell countless stories of the history and archaeology of the Royal Navy and the development of global trade through the centuries,” said Jessica Berry, ceo of the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust.

Established in 2011, it is MAST’s adopted mission to promote maritime heritage in the UK through archaeological projects; detect and deter unauthorised salvage; and educate the public on the importance of preserving Britain’s maritime heritage.  

Had this collection gone to auction, it’s likely the items would have passed out of sight and into private hands for profit.

“MAST has now taken the collection out of private ownership so its risk of being dispersed again has now gone forever,” said Berry. 

With support from The National Museum of the Royal Navy and Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, the UK maritime charity is now planning to host a variety of local and national opportunities to host the collection in museums around the country. 

Through these exhibitions, MAST aims to share and learn from what is now considered an ‘important resource’ in telling the story of not only the development of maritime archaeology in the UK, but the history and archaeology of the Royal Navy and the development of international trade.

“We at the Shipwreck and Treasure Museum are delighted that MAST is buying the artefacts from what are now protected wrecks, saving a unique collection for the nation,” said Sir Tim Smit, KBE. “It is especially pleasing as MAST is made up of members who, themselves, have dedicated so much of their lives to exploring our underwater heritage.”

Click here for more from the Oceanographic Newsroom.