This gallery has a maritime theme.
Weymouth has one of the most active lifeboats in the country, which can usually be seen on its mooring in the harbour, not far from Brewers Quay. The Museum is home to twenty-one boards, which list all the vessels assisted and lives saved since the start of lifeboat operations in Weymouth in 1869. One of these boards is always on display in the gallery. There are two excellent models of Weymouth's earlier lifeboats in one of the cases.
Since Victorian times Weymouth has been a busy ferry terminal with services over the years to the Channel Islands and various French ports. Some of the displays in this gallery portray the history of these services.
Many of the older residents and visitors to Weymouth will remember the paddle steamers operated by Cosens & Co. Pictures, documents and artefacts relating to these vessels, and the people who worked on them, are also on display.
Weymouth was also home to the
Whitehead torpedo factory, located in Wyke Regis, where much torpedo
development took place.
The gallery houses the aft end of a 21 inch torpedo with its eight-cylinder engine, transmission and contra-rotating propellers. In an adjacent case there are components from early 18 and 21 inch torpedoes which have been recovered from the sea bed by local divers.
Aft
end of a 21 inch torpedo
Ship's bell from the GWR ferry SS St. Julien
