Birkenhead Claret Jugs

This pair of silver claret jugs are known as the Birkenhead Claret Jugs. The decoration show grapes being collected for Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

The Troopship Birkenhead sank off the coast of South Africa in 1852 as it carried troops, including soldiers from the 73^rd Regiment, to war. The wife of a corporal reportedly removed these two jugs from the sinking ship and hid them beneath her skirts before boarding a lifeboat. They were bought back by the 73^rd Regiment after being found in a London sale room a few years later. 

The jugs were presented by Major General Sir John Grey. He was appointed Colonel of the 73^rd Regiment on 3^rd April 1846. He then moved to the 5^th (Northumberland Fusiliers) on 18^th May 1849. At the time of the Birkenhead disaster he was Commander in Chief in Bombay.