Electrochemist, conservator and bellringer

Ian MacLeod FRACI CChem

Why Chemistry?

Chemistry is the essence of life in our bodies and in society, and is the most important single science that can assist us in the conservation and preservation of our shared material cultural heritage. I love giving public lectures and workshops on the conservation of historic shipwrecks, plus talking on the radio and doing TV documentaries on corrosion of historic shipwrecks.

Within a few months of my joining the conservation team in the Western Australian Museum, I had to learn to drive and dive and overcome my fear of the open ocean to get my first in situ corrosion measurements on the bronze fittings of the shipwreck Rapid.

Years later, while working on the wreck of HMS Sirius off Norfolk Island, I had a ‘Eureka’ moment when I realised that the surf that tossed me across the reef was controlling the decay of the cast iron ballast pigs.

Working off the Isle of Mull on a Cromwellian shipwreck helped me determine the factors that define the relationship between the corrosion rate of iron objects, and the temperature and the salinity of the seawater. To work to preserve a wreck that belonged to the man who killed more than 620 of my clansmen at the Battle of Worcester was an exercise in forgiveness.

Mentors

My first year high school science teacher Mr Flynn showed us the thermal decomposition of mercuric oxide, which set my mind, and the glowing splinter, on fire.

At the University of Melbourne, Robert Craig’s eloquent explanations of how electrons control metals set me on a career path that has been a joy.

While working with Professor David Sharp’s fluorine group at the University of Glasgow I made my first chlorination catalyst.

ELECTROCHEMIST, CONSERVATOR AND BELLRINGER

To work to preserve a wreck that belonged to the man who killed more than 620 of my clansmen at the Battle of Worcester was an exercise in forgiveness.

Bellringing

I grew up in Ballarat and learnt to ring at St Peter’s church after my voice broke and I could no longer hit the high notes. One of the best things about ringing is being part of a band of ringers free of any sort of bias.

Bell music is made of interweaving patterns of work that each bell does. The photo shows me at the end of a bell rope in the tower of St George’s Cathedral in Perth, Western Australia.