Sue Cook presents the series that examines listeners' historical queries, exploring avenues of research and uncovering mysteries.
Series 10
Programme 4
Programme 4 - 9 November 2004
Listeners' queries
Fire on board the SS Sarah Sands - drama in the Indian Ocean, 1857
"The Sarah Sands was a steamer which caught fire while taking the 54th Regiment (now part of the Devon and Dorsets) to India during the Mutiny in 1857. According to the account by Rudyard Kipling, the sailors did not acquit themselves well during the fire, but the soldiers and the ship's master Captain Castles (with whom I may have a family link) dealt with the fire and managed to sail the ship to Calcutta. Captain Castles was fairly new to the ship, which had been used previously to take immigrants to America and Australia. I'd be delighted to find out more about him, if possible, and what happened in the incident." Find out more about the SS Sarah Sands fireÌý
The British Museum Lottery 1753
"The current national lottery anniversary publicity tends to give the impression that raising money by lotteries for public good works is something relatively new, but wasn't the British Museum partly set up in the 1700s through lottery money, and wasn't there a scandal about it?" Find out more about the British Museum lotteryÌý
Digging up bones - archaeology and the law
"When is it not ethical for archaeologists to dig up old bones? Is it to do with how long they've been in the ground or where they are buried? At what point do human remains lose their right to rest in peace?" Find out more human remains and the law
Vanessa has presentedÌýscience and current affairs programmes for ±«Óãtv, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for ±«Óãtv Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.Ìý
Contact Making History
Send your comments and questions for future programmes to:
Making History
±«Óãtv Radio 4
PO Box 3096 Brighton
BN1 1PL
Vanessa has presentedÌýscience and current affairs programmes for ±«Óãtv, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for ±«Óãtv Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.Ìý