Gain a fascinating insight into the lives of sailors and seafarers throughout history.

Life at sea

Gain a fascinating insight into the lives of sailors and seafarers throughout history.

Silver coin depicting Treasure Island character Long John Silver in a cocked hat with a parrot on his shoulder

Pirates: fact or fiction?

From buried treasure to walking the plank, how much of what we think we know about pirates is really true?
Drawing of two women dressed as men

Who were Anne Bonny and Mary Read?

What do we really know about the notorious pirate duo, and how have later accounts shaped our perception of female pirates?
A button on the cuff of a military uniform, showing an imperial eagle with an eye symbol above.

A stitch in time: the secrets of textile conservation

A 19th century uniform with a dramatic history is on display at the National Maritime Museum. Come behind the scenes to discover the care that went into its conservation
Painting of the bow of a sailing ship looking out on a calm sea with a three masted sailing ship in the distance. Three men are on board the closer ship, with a sail above them. One man is looking through binoculars at the other ship. The sky is cloudy in the background.

The nautical origins of everyday phrases

Ever heard that traffic was chock-a-block, been called a son of a gun, or told someone you like the cut of their jib? Learn the maritime origins of phrases you hear every day
A photographer stands in front of an RNLI orange lifeboat holding an Edwardian camera on a tripod

Capturing history: Jack Lowe and the RNLI 

How one photographer’s quest to visit every lifeboat station shines a light on our maritime heritage
Engraving of a person known as Mary Anne Talbot, a 'female sailor' in disguise

Researching queer histories: a fresh look at 'female sailors'

Queer History Club researcher Ema explores the lives of people raised as women who lived and sailed as men in the 19th century
Drawing of two women dressed as men

The women who went to sea – dressed as men

Barred from the seafaring life, women had to disguise themselves as men if they wanted to experience the high seas - and brave the consequences of being found out
Cathryn Spain stands by the River Thames

Making Waves: Cathryn Spain

Meet Senior Harbour Master Cathryn Spain, who oversees navigational safety on the River Thames
Melissa Reid surfing

Making Waves: Melissa Reid

Meet Melissa Reid, Paralympic medallist, triple surfing world champion and ocean advocate
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