Ramsgate Maritime Museum facts for kids
Ramsgate Maritime Museum
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| Location | Ramsgate, Kent, England |
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| Type | Maritime Museum |
| Public transit access | Ramsgate railway station |
The Ramsgate Maritime Museum is a cool place in Ramsgate, Kent, England. It teaches you all about the amazing maritime history (sea history) of East Kent. You can find the museum right in the Clock House, which is on the dockside of Ramsgate's Royal Harbour.
This museum is run by a group called the Steam Museum Trust. This trust is a registered charity, which means it's an organization that helps the community and doesn't aim to make a profit.
Contents
Discovering Ramsgate's Sea History
The Ramsgate Maritime Museum helps visitors explore the rich sea history of the area. It shows how important the sea has been to Ramsgate for hundreds of years.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has four main areas, called galleries, that you can explore. Each gallery focuses on a different part of sea history.
One part of the museum shows how the harbour grew over time. You can learn about how ships used to find their way using navigation tools. This section explains how sailors used maps and instruments to guide their vessels safely.
Fishing and Lifeboats
Another gallery is all about fishing, which has been a big part of Ramsgate's life. You can also learn about the brave lifeboat crews. These heroes rescue people from dangerous situations at sea.
Shipwrecks and Sea Treasures
The museum also has a special section about shipwrecks. Many ships have been lost near Ramsgate, especially around the Goodwin Sands. This area is famous for causing many shipwrecks.
You can even see a huge 17th-century cannon! This cannon, which weighs 32 pounds, was found in the wreck of HMS Stirling Castle. Many other cool items from shipwrecks are also on display.
Real Ships You Can Explore
The museum has two real ships that you can visit! These are called museum ships.
- The Cervia: This is a steam tug boat built in 1946. Tug boats are powerful ships used to pull other, larger ships.
- The Sundowner: This is a special yacht built in 1912. It's famous for being one of the "Dunkirk little ships" that helped rescue soldiers during World War II.
The Clock House Building
The museum is located inside the historic Clock House. This building is rented from the Thanet District Council.
History of the Clock House
The Clock House was built a long time ago in 1817. It was designed by two people named Benjamen Wyatt and George Louch. Later, a famous naval architect named John Rennie made some changes to it.
The building is now a "Grade II* listed building." This means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected.
Museum's Recent History
The museum was closed for a few years, but it reopened its doors on May 5, 2012. There are plans to make even more improvements to the Clock House and the area around the pier.
See also
- Port of Ramsgate
- Ramsgate Lifeboat Station
