The Ships gallery is filled with tiny treasures. Boat and ship models from around the world jostle for space with a stunning collection tracing the evolution of ship construction and technology in Britain.
At the entrance to the gallery you’ll find a section on the race to cross the Atlantic by steam, featuring models of vessels such as Great Britain, which was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Other parts of the gallery describe, among others, the development of river steamers, ocean-going passenger ships and warships. Highlights of this section include a truly remarkable model of Mauritania.
There’s even a beautiful collection of models represents the diversity of fishing boats from around the British Isles, while the Frederic Maze collection shows a variety of Chinese junks.
The Museum’s entire collection of 18th-century Admiralty Board models is also on display, as is an impressive collection of traditional boats from across the globe, including kayaks, rafts, coracles and catamarans.