Silver snuff box presented to Thomas Burnard Chanter (1797-1874).

Rectangular silver box, the lid with a scene in relief of a heeling ship in rough seas with reduced sail. The box is hinged and the sides are engine turned, with shells and foliage on front. The inside is gilt, and inscribed inside the lid: 'PRESENTED by the PROPRIETORS of The Torridge Steamer, to THOMAS BURNARD CHANTER, Esq. its original Proposer and the able and zealous Supporter of its Interests Decr 29th 1836’.

Thomas Burnard Chanter of Bideford was a local shipowner and merchant, who owned a timber yard and instigated the formation of a company to build and run a steamer to replace the unsatisfactory sailing ship passenger service between Bideford and Bristol. In September 1834 she was launched as 'The Torridge'.