Lost at Sea

I only noticed this plaque today. It was installed during lockdown, in accordance with restrictions so there was no publicity or fuss. Henry was a metallurgist  who invented and patented an electrical process of extracting gold and silver from quartz  with chemicals.He travelled the world and embarked  on his 13th crossing of the Atlantic, booking a first class passage on the maiden voyage of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. He was born  in Cork, and educated in Bolton. He lived in south Devon for his health, and became an active member of the Torquay Natural History Society and the Devonshire Association, both of which had been founded by his wife’s father, William Pengelly, an eminent geologist.
He lived  at Redholme, a substantial villa near the museum, which now has his blue plaque - see the extra photo.  
The talk today at the Museum was about ghosts, and in particular ghosts allegedly seen in the Museum building, but none have been identified as Henry himself, even though there is a room dedicated to him. I don’t think he would waste his time throwing leaflets and books around in the shop - as caught on film. It was good publicity anyway.The quote on the plaque - ‘Quit you like men, be strong’- is from Corinthians, a tribute to the fact that Henry sacrificed his life so that women and children could be saved.