Maritime Museum of Tasmanian Inc.

The concept of a publicly displayed collection of maritime history has existed since 1931 when the Shiplovers' Society of Tasmania began lobbying for a "nautical room" as an extension to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG).

In 1972 a group of six enthusiasts first met, and resolved to establish an independent maritime museum, pooling their private collections and seeking public contributions. The Museum first occupied premises in two rooms at the rear of St Georges Church, Battery Point; opening in March 1973, officially opened in December, 1974. Incorporation of the museum also occurred in 1974.

The Museum moved in 1983, into historic Secheron House (1831), which it leased from the State Government. Now the Museum was close-by former shipyards where many vessels were built last century.

When the decision was made by the State Government to sell Secheron House in 1999, an opportunity was provided to develop the Museum into a major attraction and resource facility for the twenty first century. Funding was provided from the sale of Secheron House for the move into the Carnegie Building, with its central business district location and its proximity to Mawson Square and Constitution Dock.

The new premises for the Maritime Museum of Tasmania was officially opened on 28th March 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Collection

The nucleus of the collection was contributed from the private collections of founding members. Donations have constantly been received from many sources, a few significant items are on loan, and each year museum funds are allocated for further purchases.

The collection is now Tasmania's largest and most varied collection of maritime artifacts with particular interest to Tasmanian maritime history, from the earliest of times to the present technology of ship building. The collection includes over 10,000 photographs and numerous paintings representing colonial sail traders, whaleboats, warships, ketches, river steamers and modern catamarans.

Major items include the restored companionway from Joseph Conrad's barque "Otago", a fully equipped 1/3 replica whaleboat of the 19th century, the light from the Goose Island lighthouse, the Wilson dinghy, extensive collection of ship models, the carved Eagle stern-board from the American whale-ship "Islander", built in 1856, broken up at Hobart in the late 1890's; ships figureheads, and the only known fully operational whale gun (the third last one made by Waffen Fabric Kongsberg, Norge) Other items include scrimshaw, whaling equipment, navigation equipment instruments, shipwrights' tools, and wreck artefacts. The museum also manages a library in excess of 500 volumes.

Research