Tuesday, October 28, 2014

The Dubious Expedition

The age of exploration is filled with strange tales, but none more remarkable than the story of the H.M.S. Chimera.

"While other ships’ logs mention coming across the H.M.S Chimera during their own voyages, reporting the crew in good spirits and great health, the H.M.S Chimera disappears from records in 1877. In 1878, the ship and her crew are considered officially lost at sea.

In 1900, the H.M.S. Chimera returns home with a cargo hold full of dazzling and wonderful things, but only two crew members - the ship’s navigator, and the cook. Neither navigator nor cook were able to explain the contents of their cargo hold, or in fact - any aspect of their voyage at all. The ship’s cook was institutionalized shortly thereafter, and the navigator spoke of little else but the “glorious horrors” until he disappeared on a Scottish moor three months later."

Tóbal brings us a collection of items recovered from the ill-fated expedition.  You really need to follow the link and take a look at his work.  The sheer number and variety of items is quite impressive.





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