Museum Home Page

                                                                                                                                    To Nelson's Dockyard      HOME  Page

DOCKYARD MUSEUM

This delightful museum is laid out within the Naval Officer's House at English Harbour, Antigua. The narrative starts from before Indian settlement and carries through to the advent of the National Park.

The EXHIBITS are: Natural Environment    European Arrival    Development    People    Tools   Nelson    Heyday   Defence  Yard's Decline   Victorian Navy    Restoration   Sailing Ships Return   Models   Library & Gift Shop   Research

The Natural Environment

Here is damage made by the natural enemies of the yard, termites, shipworms and gribble. Hurricanes and earthquakes are mentioned as well. The adjoining exhibit shows artifacts of the first people of English Harbour (c. 900 AD), the first tools and the first boats. There is also a small model of an Indian canoe and house.

European Arrival.

Period navigating instruments, such as a 1720 back staff, a 19th century sextant and a satellite positioning instrument make up this exhibit. An interactive display, "Hoist a Sail", is a model of the first ship recorded in the harbour - a royal yacht. A string is pulled and a sail is raised and lowered.

Development of the Yard.

Five small scale models representing the naval yard over a period of time to the present day are shown next. Questions answered about the Yard are Who? Why? and When? The act of careening a ship is explained with another interactive display in which a ship is heeled over when a string is pulled. Yet another interactive display is the model of a windmill, whose arms rotate on pressing a button. It is explained that repairs to ships protecting the sugar trade was the main purpose of the Yard.

The People of the Yard.

This exhibit tells about the employees. Seventy percent of the workers at one time were black. Social aspects as well as the role of the enslaved Africans is explained. A fine full size cut-out model of a black shipwright adorned with a red scarf and holding a real adze, stands with this exhibit together with the likeness of naval seaman of the time.

Tools of the Yard.

This display includes the original blacksmith's bellows, an anvil and other implements. A special exhibit illustrates how to tie a bowline, clove hitch, reef knot and a figure of eight knot.

Nelson's Time.

This exhibit explains who Nelson was, his connection with English Harbour and how he lived here (took a quart of goat's milk a day, had six pails of salt water poured over him at dawn). There is also a case of Nelson memorabilia in the centre of the room and a four-post bed that is reputed to have been Nelsons'.

The Yard's Heyday.

This display explains the types of ships that came into the harbour and what the Yard was used for. Archaeological artifacts are included and show items excavated at the Naval Hospital and sheaves (pulley wheels) found in the mud of the harbour show the evolution of this important part of an old time sailing vessel.

 

                                                   

 

Defence

Most of the upstairs is devoted to the military aspect of the harbour and includes some of the history of the Shirley Height military complex.

The Yard's Decline.

This outlines events that occurred from 1815 until the Yard finally closed down in 1889.

The Victorian Navy.

This exhibit is an old shutter from the Pay Office on which are carvings made by sailors of the 1890's. It has been researched that the ships on station, also carved on the shutter, were on readiness to quell sugar labour disturbances.

Restoration.

This display compares 1940's photographs of buildings with photos of the buildings after 1951, when the work of the Friends of English Harbour commenced. The restoration was aided greatly by work parties from visiting Royal Naval ships.

The Sailing Ships Return.

The development of the yachting industry from the 1950's is explained. A section includes Antigua Sailing Week and the Classic Yacht Regatta together with some of the trophies. Finally the story ends with the aims and aspirations of the Nelson's Dockyard National Park.

                                                   

                                                    

Models

A fine model of a square-rigged Royal Naval sailing warship from the National Maritime Museum is on display and a model of the Dockyard as it stood in 1952, when the Friends of English Harbour Society was in its infancy. It was used in London to help raise restoration funds.

Library and Gift Shop

A research library is available with a naval history and other historical databases. There is also an archaeological laboratory (Appointment required). The Museum Restoration Gift Shop is well stocked with the most interesting and attractive items.

 

Research

A well equipped research workshop is attached to the Museum. The main work is with the artifacts found while dredging in the harbour for the new stone wharf  and see the SLIDE SHOW there.

Check out also Antigua Archaeology

 

There is no entrance fee to the museum, but is included in the entrance fee to the whole Dockyard. Opening hours are from 8 am - 5 pm year round, Sundays and holidays included.


Revised: 2003, 17 March 2005....natpark@candw.ag     by Desmond  V. Nicholson   nicholsond@candw.ag


To TOP        DOCKYARD NEWS