Glass vase, 1857
The full inscription on this glass vase is: "For My dear Parents Mr and Mrs Gawtry, From their son, Master of the Secret, Farewell Father & Mother for the present 1857". On the other side is an engraving of the Secret and the inscription "Secret of Hull". This is a farewell gift from a sailor to his parents, Mr and Mrs Gawtry. The Secret was a Hull ship which can be seen on the glass vase. Going to sea was a dangerous job, especially in the days of sail. Stormy seas could easily overwhelm sailing ships and ship wrecks were common. Master Gawtry obviously wanted to reassure his parents that he would be coming home again.
