Hidden stories at the Maritime Museum

I say hidden because the museum building, despite it comprising three floors and extensive galleries is tucked behind the reception and shop and away from the outdoor menagerie of craft and would have been easy to miss if the volunteer staff hadn’t told us it was there. At first we explored the outside because of our love of sea going craft of all shapes and sizes. Take a look at the tiny steel ‘Happy Two’, you wouldn’t get me sailing far in that, there’s small and then there’s too small! The late nineteenth century dry dock itself was impressive in its size and engineering design and the fact it is still fully functional.

Inside there is a vast collection of Naval, commercial, leisure and passenger objects dating back to pre-colonial times and lots of amazing models but I thought it best to focus on one topic for my photos and that was women and sailing. An old Heron dinghy hung from the rafters and we couldn’t tell if it was older or younger than Little Zoonie who is waiting patiently for her new lease of life.

I liked Jessica Watson’s choice of essential articles for her circumnavigation; out of seven items three were soft toys, and chocolate of course, coffee and then fast food noodles and oats. I think the creation of a whole generous section about women’s achievements in sailing is impressive and reflective of everyday life where human endeavour is often successful because of the support from both women and men.