The Betsy Cains and William of Orange (later William III) Circular Treen Snuff Box Made from the Wreck of the Betsy Cains. She formerly served as a Royal Yacht during the reign of Queen Anne. In Later Years she was Employed as a Collier and in 1827 was Wrecked on Tynemouth Bar and her Timbers Salvaged.
The snuff box is Inset with copper and inscribed:
'Made from the wreck of the Betsy Cains which brought King William to England 1688'.
The box with a central medalet; ' A Reed Esq Mayor 1827'. This was for Archibald Reed, Mayor of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
For many years it was believed that the Betsy Cains/Cairns, or Betsey Caines/Cairns was the vessel which brought over William of Orange to Torbay in 1688. It is possible that he arrived on the frigate Den Briel (The Brill). There are detailed accounts of this vessel and the connections to William of Orange on an informative website, https://sitelines.newcastle.gov.uk/SMR/1403, which suggest that the shipwrecked vessel was built at the King's Yard in 1690, or 1699 and was originally a royal yacht.
This vessel would appear to have been a royal yacht during the reigns of William III, Queen Anne and George I. In the mid 1700's she was rechristened the BETSEY CAIRNS and engaged in the West Indies trade. She was subsequently employed her as a Tyne collier, and in 1825 was purchased by Mr George Finch Wilson of South Shields, by whom she continued to be employed in the Tyne coal trade. She was lost on the Black Middens in a gale, accompanied by a severe frost and snowstorm on the 17th February 1827, when she was 137 years old.
It is recorded on the Sitelines website that 'The fragments were literally scrambled for by the population, and sold at exorbitant prices by the lucky possessors. Nearly all the Orange Lodges in the kingdom applied for portions. Each member of the Newcastle Corporation was presented with a snuff box made from her timbers, and similar snuff boxes were also numerous in the coal trade'.
Approximate weight is 80 grams.
Approximate dimensions are 9.3 cm diameter and 2.3 cm height.
In good condition with one split and chip to the cover edge.