
On your travels around the UK coastline, you may have come across bright red former WWII sea mines, used as collection boxes for maritime charity, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.
Founded in 1839 to assist the survivors of shipwreck and to support the widows and orphans of those tragically lost at sea, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society these days provides financial help to merchant seafarers, fishermen and their dependents who are suffering hardship and distress, paying out in the region of £1.3 million each year in nearly 2,000 cases of need.
Hampshire Plastics has worked with the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society to create acrylic signs for each sea mine, to display information about the charity.
Originally more than 200 sea mines were donated to the Charity by the Admiralty, for use as collection boxes, in recognition of the Society’s unique contribution supporting seafarers, their families, as well as others shipwrecked during both World Wars. Unfortunately, the ravages of time and the weather have reduced their number. There are still around 50 in operation, collecting much needed funds to support the Charity’s work, so if you spot one, please consider making a donation!
For further information about the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s history and financial support available, visit: www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk You can make an online donation towards the Society’s work here. Thank you.
