The Royal Navy frigate, which sank off the Norfolk coast in 1682, has been described as “Norfolk’s Mary Rose”.
 
The talk, by Professor Claire Jowitt and Julian Barnwell, will cover the history of the ship and its passengers, as well as the story of the years of diving to find the ship and recover many fascinating artefacts.
 
James, Duke of York and Albany, the brother of King Charles II, was returning to Scotland on the Gloucester with more than 300 passengers and crew on board, but the ship ran aground on a sandbank off the coast of Great Yarmouth.
 
James survived but more than 150 people died as the ship sank in less than an hour.
 
Prof. Jowitt of the University of East Anglia, who is co-curator of the exhibition that has been running at Norwich Castle Museum, will explain the historical background to the voyage and the items found.
 
Mr Barnwell, together with his brother Lincoln, has been exploring the seabed since they discovered the wreck in 2007, and will tell the story of the dive and provide an update on discoveries from this year’s diving.
 
The talk will take place at Reepham College, Whitwell Road, Reepham, at 7.30 pm on Monday 16 October.
 
Tickets are £10 and will include a glass of wine or soft drink.
 
The evening will be raising funds for the Gloucester 1682 Trust to preserve the remains of the ship and for Rotary charities.
 
Tickets are available from any Rotarian, Very Nice Things & More or the Norfolk Farm Shop & Deli, or can be ordered online HERE.