Appeal for information on damage to bronze bust of Captain John Quilliam RN

Mon, 02 Oct 2023

Manx National Heritage has reported ongoing damage to the bronze bust of Captain John Quilliam RN in Castletown. 

The bronze sculpture depicts Captain Quilliam in uniform and commemorates his role as the most famous Manxman to have participated in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Kirsty Neate, Head of Collections for Manx National Heritage said: “Information has been provided to the Police in relation to instances of senseless vandalism to this important piece of public sculpture.”

Manx National Heritage are assessing the impact of the vandalism and the potential costs to the charity of further repair to the statue. The public are asked not to try to remove the damage themselves as this may cause further harm to the sculpture.

Neate added: “This damage to the statue is particularly upsetting, as ‘Captain Quilliam’ was only very recently returned to the Quarterdeck following extensive conservation work.  Manx National Heritage is dependent upon charitable donations to support our conservation undertakings and the work on the statue was funded by a donation from the Friends of Manx National Heritage.

“It does not send out a positive message to visitors to Castletown and our Island to see such prominent heritage objects from the national collections vandalised in this way.”

Anyone who has information about the incidents should contact Police Headquarters on 01624 631212.

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