Thanks Jock,
Several of the local maritime history books in my collection have borrowed heavily from the Gibson archives, and indeed our local television news programme featured an article on the family just recently. It's many years since I've visited the Isles of Scilly, I really must try and visit again.
I recall as a child at school hearing a ships siren calling frequently during the day, when Father returned after work he said a ship had gone aground in Plymouth Sound and we went up to Jennycliff and saw below us the liner Venus of the Bergen line that used to sail Oslo-Newcastle-Plymouth-Maderia hard aground on the rocks below. She was eventually refloated and repaired in Devonport Dockyard. When built in 1930 she was the fastest motorship (Diesel powered) in the world and even then in the 1950's she was remarkably modern looking.
Thanks for the link,
Barrie
