The Historic Dockyard Chatham

• The skeleton of HMS Namur, the world’s first ‘round bow’ warship, whose battle honours are greater than even those of HMS Victory, goes on display for the first time in 260 years on 27 May 2016 as the centre piece of the new ‘Command of the Oceans’ galleries at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
  
• The Namur featured across 18th and 19th century history and literature – Jane Austen’s brother was her Captain. His nautical experiences informed the naval characters in Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Olaudah Equiano, one of the age’s leading and most celebrated anti-slavery campaigners was a ‘Powder Monkey’ on the Namur.  He wrote one of the only contemporaneous accounts of life below the waterline.  
• Her extraordinary 47-year service encompassed three major wars including the Seven Years’ War, Napoleonic Wars and nine fleet actions. Dan Snow, TV Historian says, ‘The Namur is the ship that defines this course of British history.’
• The round bow design was developed by Chatham’s shipwrights in response to Nelson’s tactic of ‘cutting the line’ (which he used to win the Battle of Trafalgar). The round bow transformed British warships’ ability to withstand ferocious assault as they approached the enemy line of battle – thereby saving the lives of many British seamen.
• Also on display for the first time are personal items and objects from the Invincible, an elite 18th century French warship captured by the Royal Navy in 1747. Chatham’s shipwrights used the Invincible’s French design to create a new advanced warship that helped Britain beat the French at the Battle of Trafalgar.
• The Namur and Invincible form the centrepiece for the new ‘Command of the Oceans’ that captures 400 years of history of Chatham Historic Dockyard and its unique role in creating ships for the Royal Navy.  

‘Command of the Oceans’, a new permanent display at The Historic Dockyard Chatham – the most complete dockyard from the ‘Age of Sail’ to survive anywhere in the world – will open to the public on 27 May 2016. 

The £9m project has been made possible with support from a £4.8m grant from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), as well as the generous support of Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), and individuals, Trusts and Foundations. 

‘Command of the Oceans’ will be the starting point for telling the story of the Dockyard’s role in British naval supremacy from the 16th century when Sir Francis Drake learned his skills at Chatham, through its golden period of the ‘Age of Sail’ from 1700 – 1820 when the Dockyard’s shipwrights designed and built ships that transformed the British Navy into the most powerful sea force in the world. 

‘Command of the Oceans’ is built around the 260-year old skeleton of the Namur, preserved where she was discovered and still lies.  The Namur was one of the Royal Navy’s most significant warships of the Age of Sail – and symbolises how indispensable Chatham was to Britain and the Royal Navy during the 18th century and beyond. 

The Namur was discovered by chance in 1995. Routine conservation work on the Dockyard’s Wheelwrights’ Shop led to an astonishing discovery:  The timbers of the 18th century warship had lain hidden and undisturbed under the floor for over two centuries.  Over the past twenty years the Namur’s timbers have been carefully preserved and the stories of this influential ship researched and brought together for the first time. 

The giant 245 timbers still bear their ‘Race Marks’, special cuts made with a race knife that enable historians to track when each timber was sourced by the Navy.  They also bear the personal makers’ marks of the Shipwrights that made each timber and of those who were part of the quality assurance process that approved each part for use in the ship.  Each timber also has a ‘Position Mark’ that gives the precise location of each timber in the ship – enabling all the timbers to have been fitted together like a giant 3D puzzle. 

The Namur and other exhibits in ‘Command of The Oceans’ demonstrate the speed and ingenuity with which Chatham’s Shipwrights adapted to changing battle tactics and the design of foreign fleets. The Invincible, a French warship captured by the British in 1747, was used by Chatham’s Shipwrights to create a new generation of warships for the Royal Navy: The 74-gun ship of the line. These 74-gun ships, based on the Invincible’s design, formed the core of Nelson’s fleet that won the Battle of Trafalgar and finally secured command of the oceans for Britain.  Objects from the Invincible go on display for the first time.  These objects together with the compelling testimony from Olaudah Equiano on his life as a ‘Powder Monkey’, provide a unique insight into life on an 18th century warship. 

The galleries are set in restored historic buildings, incorporating new architecture delivered by Baynes & Mitchell architects and exhibition interpretive designers, Land Design Studios. Key exhibition highlights include:

The Namur and Chatham: Innovations in design and technology
The Namur was one of the longest-serving ships during the ‘Age of Sail’, with an extraordinary long service career that spanned 47 years. She participated in no less than nine fleet actions from the Seven Years’ War (1756-63), to the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815). Its longevity, versatility, impact and virtuosity in design are emblematic of the Dockyard itself and of its shipwrights who were instrumental in the design and construction of the Royal Navy’s finest ships.

As one of the first warships to bring together and implement several innovative shipbuilding techniques, the Namur epitomised the years of work and ship design development that was undertaken in Chatham Dockyard.  Archaeological analysis of the Namur’s timbers has shown unmistakeable evidence of innovation in ship construction led by Robert Seppings, Master Shipwright at Chatham between 1801 and 1813. The ship was the first to have a round bow, which strengthened it, giving the British a significant advantage over foreign navies during battle. In addition, the Namur was ‘copper bottomed’ – an invention that reduced marine growth on the underwater hull especially important in warm waters such as the Caribbean and gave such vessels a significant speed advantage. In 1804 the venerable Namur was given a new lease of life when she had her upper deck removed to become a third rate ship of the line and in this form (a year later) captured the Formidable, flagship of Rear Admiral Pierre Dumanoir Le Pelley in the aftermath of the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Namur and the Annus Mirabilis of 1759
With a total of nine fleet actions to her name including seven battle honours, the Namur holds even more honours than Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory. She was instrumental to the success of the Royal Navy during the historic Annus Mirabilis (or ‘Year of Miracles’) of 1759, a term that describes a string of battles and key British victories over the French during the Seven Years’ War. 
The Namur fought in two of the defining battles of the Annus Mirabilis – the Battle of Lagos and the Battle of Quiberon Bay, whose significance has been said to surpass even Nelson’s triumph at Trafalgar and transformed Britain’s fortunes during the Seven Years’ War.

Slavery, art and literature
The electrifying, and often terrifying, life on board the Namur will be told through one of the ship’s most famous crewmembers, Olaudah Equiano, a Black African slave and later a prominent campaigner for the abolition of the slave trade. He was a ‘powder monkey’ on the Namur.  This was a highly dangerous job for the most junior and youngest members of her crew to carry gunpowder to the guns during battle.  His autobiography The Interesting Narrative, written in 1789, is one of the few recorded accounts of life below the waterline and in which he offers a remarkable eyewitness narrative of the Battle of Lagos, one of the defining moments of 1759, the Annus Mirabilis.

The Namur is also woven into the A-List world of 18th and 19th century Britain – one of her captains was Jane Austen’s brother, Charles, who commanded the Namur from 1811 to 1814. His role and experience as a captain informed the naval characters that people Jane Austen’s novels, for example in Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Other luminaries linked to Chatham include marine painter Clarkson Stanfield; Charles Dickens; Samuel Pepys; JMW Turner and others.  

Objects and personal belongings from the Invincible 
‘Command of the Oceans’ also includes objects from the Invincible (1744), a French warship that was captured by the British in 1747, taken into the Royal Navy, and sunk by accident in 1758, and whose collection has never before been displayed so extensively to the public. Boasting 74 guns, the Invincible was an elite fighting ship whose shape and size were used by Chatham’s shipwrights to create a new advanced design of British warship built at the Dockyard. This new design for 74-gun ships became the main form of warship used by the British fleet for more than half a century and was instrumental for Britain’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

The Invincible sank in Portsmouth in 1758 and was only discovered in 1979. Today, Chatham is the repository of its collection which numbers over 600 of some of the finest preserved maritime objects of the 18th century, from ship equipment such as blocks and dead eyes, to more personal items including clothes, shoes, bowls and gaming pieces. 

The Namur and the Language of Today
The Namur being one of the first generation warships to be  ‘copper bottomed’ led to this expression entering the British lexicon - the term means ‘a sound deal’ or investment, linking back to its 18th century origin of being ‘safe’.   This word joins other ‘Age of Sail’ British naval expressions that are still used today such as ‘to bamboozle’, ‘Limey’, ‘blind eye’ and, of course, ‘Navy Blue’.  [Discover their true naval meanings below] 

Bill Ferris OBE DL, CEO at The Historic Dockyard Chatham said:  “Command of The Oceans is a remarkable collection of galleries that bring together the history of the Dockyard and provide the starting point for understanding this remarkable 80 acre Dockyard.  The story of the Namur is the story of Chatham. It illustrates how the innovation of the Dockyard propelled Britain’s power around the world.  Without Chatham we would not have had the triumphs of the Battle of Lagos or the Battle of Trafalgar. The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a custodian of maritime memories and of our national story.”

Dan Snow, TV Historian, said: “The Namur is the ship that defined this course of British History. In 1759 she fought at the two great naval battles of the ‘Annus Mirabilis’ – the year of miracles – battles which effectively destroyed French naval ambitions for the rest of the war and led to British worldwide success at sea. Her remains enable us to better understand the shipbuilding ingenuity at Chatham which was crucial in developing British naval dominance which in turn helped extend Britain’s influence around the world.”

Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East, said: “As a major supporter of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, we have always had confidence in the Trust’s ability to successfully reinvigorate this site. ‘Command of the Oceans’ is the latest in a string of inspiring projects that brings alive the town’s maritime history as well as keeping up a commitment to share its story with the local community and visitors from further afield. We do our very best to spend National Lottery players’ money wisely so it’s hugely satisfying to see our £4.8m investment resulting in a gallery which sets a tone of excellence at the very start of the Dockyard experience.”

Today, following the closure of the Dockyard in 1984, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is under the stewardship of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, a registered charity and fully accredited museum responsible for the care and preservation of The Historic Dockyard. 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

PRESS PREVIEW:  10AM-12PM, 26 May at Chatham Historic Dockyard.

To register please contact Kallaway at thdc@kallaway.com or on +44 (0)20 7221 7883. 

 

Admission and Ticket Information

Tickets to The Historic Dockyard Chatham offer unlimited entry for an entire year*. Prices are:

Adult - £24.00

Concession - £21.50

Children - £14.00 (5-15 years)

Family - £63.00 (2 Adults and 2 Children OR 1 Adult and 3 Children). The cost of adding an additional child to a Family ticket is £10.50.

For full ticket information and prices please visit

www.thedockyard.co.uk/prices 

*Exclusion dates apply

About Command of the Oceans

State-of-the-art interactive displays will tell a previously untold chapter of British naval history, showcasing the Dockyard’s importance from its creation, almost 400 years ago, through to modern times. Building on the existing ‘Hearts of Oak’ gallery, a digital reconstruction of Chatham Dockyard as it was in 1806 during the height of the Napoleonic Wars, ‘Command of the Oceans’ will provide new documentation of life on board and during the historic ‘Age of Sail’. This includes the famous 18^th century warship HMS Namur (1756) and the fine collection of 18^th century maritime objects discovered on the 18^th century French warship Invincible.

‘People, Tools & Trades’, another new addition to the permanent display, will present stories of the people employed at Chatham throughout the centuries, and bring to life a variety of trades practices at the Dockyard, which visitors will be able to try for themselves.

 

About The Historic Dockyard Chatham (www.thedockyard.co.uk)

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is the only place in the world that lets you explore a complete dockyard from the age of sail and beyond. It’s a unique destination that celebrates Great Britain’s magnificent maritime past and unmatched contribution to the Royal Navy’s shipbuilding excellence that led to worldwide command of the oceans.

Chatham offers unrivalled access to the ships that shaped the world, from a Victorian anti-slavery sailing ship, to a Second World War Destroyer or a Cold War submarine and the stories of the people who made them. From Chatham’s historic buildings, from the Commissioner’s House and officers’ quarters to the remarkable Georgian ropery, where the rigging for HMS Victory was made, to its collection of maritime archaeology, the Dockyard forms an indispensable part of Britain’s naval history and its national heritage.

As a fully accredited museum, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust collects, preserves, researches and exhibits objects and materials connected with the history of the dockyard and its people. It studies the development of Royal Navy warship design, construction and the use of the River Medway by the Royal Navy.

Visitors to and users of The Historic Dockyard Chatham are fundamental to its purpose and the economic reuse of the site and its buildings. Its staff and volunteers play a vital role in providing a high level of service and customer care. The Trust is also involved in the on-going regeneration of Medway and The Thames Gateway, with Culture and Heritage at its heart.

 

About Heritage Lottery Fund (www.hlf.org.uk) 

Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and project the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife.

Dictionary of Naval Terminology

Bamboozle – particularly common among pirates, this practice to deceive enemy ships as to the origin or nationality of one’s ship entailed flying an ensign that wasn’t one’s own.

Navy Blue – the expression originates in 1745 when several British officers petitioned the Admiralty to adopt new uniforms for its officers. Several officers were requested to model uniforms of various styles and colours in order to select the best one. The ‘shortlist’ was then presented to King George II for his final decision. Unable to decide, King George allegedly finally chose a blue and white style because they were the favourite colour combination of the first lord’s wife, the Duchess of Bedford.

Blind eye – today’s expression ‘to turn a blind eye’ means to knowingly or intentionally refuse to acknowledge something which one knows to be real. The phrase purportedly originates with Admiral Horatio Nelson who, during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, deliberately held his telescope to his blind eye in order not to see the flag signal from the commander to stop the bombardment, and thus disobeyed orders.

Limey – denoting a British sailor or ship, the word derives from the old practice of issuing lime juice to a ship’s crew to combat scurvy.

 

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