As the weather remained good, Sue and I decided to take a trip to Greenwich so that we could visit the Battle of Jutland exhibition that is currently on display at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.
We drove to Greenwich Park, and managed to find a parking space near to the Observatory and not far from the statue of General Wolfe.
We then walked downhill towards the back entrance of the museum. Before going in we decided to sit for a while in the sun near the colonnade that runs from the main part of the museum to the Queen's House.
This gave us a magnificent view of the Observatory ...
... and of General Wolfe's statue.
Having had a rest, we made our way to the back entrance of the museum, passing on our way the Titanic Memorial Garden ...
... and a huge 'ship in a bottle' model that has recently been installed near the entrance.
Entrance to the museum is free, and after passing through the main doors we were greeted by a member of staff who directed us towards the exhibition. This was located in one section of the ground floor in the main hall.
The room at first appeared to be very badly lit, but this had been done to add emphasis to the individual exhibits.
The first exhibit that you come to tells the story of the naval arms race between Britain and Germany, and shows each of the battleships and battle cruisers built by the two nations up to the start of the Great War.
The largest exhibit in the room was a massive model of one of Admiral Beatty's 'Big Cat' Battle Cruisers.
The only other large ship model in the room was of a British Destroyer.
Around the walls were a number of large-scale plan drawings, paintings, and battle ensigns.
Most of the rest of the exhibits were of a more personal nature and included the medals awarded to Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot ...
... as well as other medals, an account book, and assorted relics of the ships and men that fought at Jutland.
There was also a very poignant display about some of the people who fought in or were affected by the Battle of Jutland.
As we left the exhibition, we saw a small cabinet that dealt with the cultural importance of navies in European society during the run up to the outbreak of the Great War.
It contained a magnificent toy model of an ironclad battleship, the like of which I had never seen before.
This exhibition is well worth seeing if you are going to visit Greenwich but in my opinion it is not worth making a special trip just to see it.
We drove to Greenwich Park, and managed to find a parking space near to the Observatory and not far from the statue of General Wolfe.
We then walked downhill towards the back entrance of the museum. Before going in we decided to sit for a while in the sun near the colonnade that runs from the main part of the museum to the Queen's House.
This gave us a magnificent view of the Observatory ...
... and of General Wolfe's statue.
Having had a rest, we made our way to the back entrance of the museum, passing on our way the Titanic Memorial Garden ...
... and a huge 'ship in a bottle' model that has recently been installed near the entrance.
Entrance to the museum is free, and after passing through the main doors we were greeted by a member of staff who directed us towards the exhibition. This was located in one section of the ground floor in the main hall.
The room at first appeared to be very badly lit, but this had been done to add emphasis to the individual exhibits.
The first exhibit that you come to tells the story of the naval arms race between Britain and Germany, and shows each of the battleships and battle cruisers built by the two nations up to the start of the Great War.
The largest exhibit in the room was a massive model of one of Admiral Beatty's 'Big Cat' Battle Cruisers.
The only other large ship model in the room was of a British Destroyer.
Around the walls were a number of large-scale plan drawings, paintings, and battle ensigns.
Most of the rest of the exhibits were of a more personal nature and included the medals awarded to Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot ...
... as well as other medals, an account book, and assorted relics of the ships and men that fought at Jutland.
There was also a very poignant display about some of the people who fought in or were affected by the Battle of Jutland.
As we left the exhibition, we saw a small cabinet that dealt with the cultural importance of navies in European society during the run up to the outbreak of the Great War.
It contained a magnificent toy model of an ironclad battleship, the like of which I had never seen before.
This exhibition is well worth seeing if you are going to visit Greenwich but in my opinion it is not worth making a special trip just to see it.
If you get the chance, I would visit the Jutland Exhibition at the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth Dockyard - it's much better.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Ramsey,
DeleteIt is some time since I visited Portsmouth, and seeing their Jutland exhibition and the Mary Rose would be an good excuse to remedy that situation.
All the best,
Bob
Interesting that there is a copy of the Avalon Hill 'Jutland' game in the photo next to the drum.
ReplyDeleteNCC1717,
DeleteI noticed that when I was there. I wondered where the museum got a copy from; it certainly showed signs of having been used.
All the best,
Bob
Worthwhile visiting the Exhibition just to see the little Toy Gunboat- it is a beaut! Regards. KEV,.
ReplyDeleteKev,
DeleteI have never before seen such a good toy model ironclad from that period. I would love to know where the museum got it from.
All the best,
Bob