Fish figurehead from 'Salmon', a Quebec-built vessel, driven onto the Mare Ledges off the south end of Tresco, Isles of Scilly, in a south-westerly gale of January 1871. She had been converted to schooner rig in 1869, having been built as a brigantine, and was sheltering off St. Mary’s on passage for South Africa when her anchor cable parted. All her crew were saved, as well as her figurehead.

‘Salmon’ details at time of wreck. Wooden schooner of 178 tons, registered at Scilly. Built by Laprise, Quebec, 1859. Dimensions (in feet and tenths): 96.6 x 23 x 12.0. Owner: James Philips, St. Mary’s, Scilly. Registered voyage: London to East London. Cargo: general cargo. Master at loss: Jenkins, Scilly. Wrecked: 15 January 1871.