Wooden Seaman's Chest - owned by J Cookworthy

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Overview

Wooden seaman's chest with cast iron latches, key lock, rope handles and half-blind dovetail joinery. The top of the chest has eight metallic screws that may have once been held in place with a name plate.

Historical information

This sea chest belonged to Peter Spicer Brockman, the nephew of Joseph Cookworthy, and it would have been used to store personal belongings on board ship.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2020.998

Item type

Luggage

Themes

Social History

Material

Metal

Wood

Width

53 cm

Height or length

110 cm

Depth

50 cm

Contextual information

This sea chest belonged to Peter Spicer Brockman (Junior) , the nephew of Joseph Cookworthy, and it would have been used to store personal belongings on board ship.

It is presumed that the original owner of this sea chest was either Peter SPICER (Senior), Captain. Born: 1767 Died: 1830 or Peter SPICER (Junior). Born: 1806 Died: 187

(a) The story goes that Peter Spicer (Snr) had two children, Peter (Jnr) and Charlotte. Charlotte married John COOKWORTHY and had children including Frances Glasford. Subsequently, Frances married Joseph Cookworthy. Peter (Jnr) died in Hong Kong, and with no children of his own, he bequeathed all gifts to his sister, Charlotte. Hence, the sea chest was brought descended down the Cookworthy family line.

(b) JOSEPH COOKWORTHY (1828 – 21 February 1909) was a settler of Western Australia. He arrived in the colony in 1873, having previously been an army officer and civil servant in India. Joseph served in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1890 until 1897, representing the seat of Sussex. Joseph died on 21 February 1909 in Busselton, Western Australia, at the age of 81.

Keywords

Maritime Objects

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Social or spiritual significance

Last modified

Wednesday, 13 May, 2026

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Parent records

Marine Room