Sailor’s letters at centre of Angus Archives showcase

Letters sent home detailing the experiences of an Arbroath midshipman during the Napoleonic Wars form part of a drop-in day at Angus Archives at the Hunter Library, Restenneth Priory.

David Clark, who was the son of Arbroath watchmaker James Clark, tells of his adventures including the capture of a Spanish vessel in a series of letters to his parents.

Archivist Craig Pearson said, “The letters date between 1795 and 1806 from the Mediterranean and Caribbean and provide quite an insight into the Royal Navy at the time.

“They were originally donated to Arbroath Library and are quite a rare source of information.”

As well as adventure on the high seas, Angus Archives drop-in day also featuring “wings and wheels” and other transport material from the archive’s collection.

Visitors will be able to see a series of plans for the Forfar and Brechin Railway, an Act of Parliament for the building of a Bridge over the River South Esk, and historic photographs of cars, vans, trains, horse drawn carriages, ships and planes.

The drop-in session is open from 10am to 4pm today and refreshments will be available.