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The National Museum of the Royal Navy can be found in the sprawling historic dockyard in Portsmouth Harbour. The dockyard is full of other interesting sights, from the famous warship HMS Victory to a Second World War submarine, HMS Alliance. However, the Royal Navy museum is the place to visit to find out more about the maritime endeavours that shaped our history, as well as about the people who experienced it first-hand.
Covering three centuries of naval history, the museum begins with the Nelson Gallery. An entire exhibition is dedicated to the famous figure who helped to save Britain from the threat of invasion by Napoleon in the Battle of Trafalgar. He was also one of the most commemorated people in British history, with a huge collection of memorabilia celebrating his life, from caricatures to collectors’ mugs, many of which are on display.
Different aspects of his life are explored, showing not only “Nelson the commander” but also “Nelson the entertainer”, well-known for holding dinner parties on HMS Victory. You’ll also discover original handwritten letters, as well as relics including his sextant and watch.
The Sailing Gallery is housed in a restored 18th-century naval storehouse, complete with original flooring made from reclaimed timbers of captured French and Spanish ships.
It seeks to portray what life was like for sailors on the great sailing warships. Displays cover how the navy solved the issue of scurvy, as well as what the sailor’s typical diet was in 1734 – it included 56 pints of beer a week.
The gallery takes a look at some of the technology of war at sea, including swords, flintlock pistols and muskets for hand-to-hand combat, and a bronze mortar from about 1811, developed for attacks on fortifications. Visitors can get to grips with a replica musket and sword that would have been used during battle in the 18th century. Younger visitors will enjoy the Yardarm – a chance to “furl and reef” a sail.
The professional navy section displays trophies, uniforms and medals from the era as well as a display of fine portraits of naval officers, with a sound-and-light show revealing the history behind the pictures.
Moving into the new Babcock Gallery, you’ll discover more recent naval history and accounts of modern warfare over the past 100 years. A general theme is the changing face of the navy, from how the ships and living quarters evolved to the changing face of its recruits, with an influx of female mechanics during the Second World War.
The Hear My Story exhibition delves even deeper into individuals’ stories, with videoed personal accounts of the navy over the past 100 years. Modern technology is also on display, from a 1955 mark 205 torpedo to a Seafox mine disposal system developed in 2011.
Stepping into the final section of the museum, you get a glimpse into the future of the navy and a look at the progress of modern fleets including the Type 26 vessel, as well as the kinds of versatile and agile ships that will be needed for the new demands the navy faces.
Overall, the museum provides a broad and interesting look at the navy’s history, with a unique insight into the individuals who have served in it over the years.
For more details, see: nmrn-portsmouth.org.uk
Five things to see
Modern warfare: Ask a member of the museum staff to let you take a seat on a 1930s anti-aircraft Bofors gun to get a feel for going into battle.
Sea journey: The ticket to the museum includes a boat tour around Portsmouth Harbour, where there are lots of interesting sights.
3. A long shadow: An exhibition by artist-in-residence Helen Snell explores the relationship of industry and the individual in wartime.
4. Sole survivor: Get a chance to see HMS M.33, the only remaining British ship to have fought in the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War.
5. Coming soon: The museum plans to reopen its display of the restored fore topsail of HMS Victory – the largest artefact left from Trafalgar.