Sidney Silver Cumbers had a unique collection of figureheads, eighty- four in all ,represented four centuries of the craftsmanship of carving and formed the largest private collection in existance. The rarest of them is that called the Golden Cherubs dated 1663 and reputed to have been carved by Grindling Gibbons. This lovely figurehead once adorned the bows of the piratical frigate owned by John Jacobs.
1931
Mr Sidney Silver Cumber comes to Gravesend.
1932
He starts his collection at The Lookout.
1936
The Lookout occupies annex of the Royal Clarendon Hotel
1951
Certain exhibits selected for showing at the Festival of Britain.
1953
The Duke of Edinburgh thanks Mr Sidney Silver Cumbers (alias Capt. Long John Silver) for his generous gift to the Cutty Sark of the figureheads and other nautical artefacts.
1953
Some 150 people attend farewell party at the Lookout to celebrate 21 years of its being.
1959
Mr Sidney Silver Cumbers died just before his 84th birthday.
