Dangerous currents, rocks and sandbanks made the Severn Estuary and the route into Cardiff Docks perilous. Sometimes ships would get into trouble and their crew and passengers need rescuing. The 'breeches buoy' was an early way of rescuing people from stranded ships, being pulled to and from the ship and the safety of land.
This instruction board would have been fired over by a 'rocket' to the ship with the first rope line. With instructions in English, Dutch, French and German, sailors from all over the world would understand how to secure the line and help the Coastguard bring them to safety.
Physical description
A wooden board with multi-language instructions (English, Dutch, German and French) and a rope and key attached.
