YCC and SeaBritain 2005 |
Ships and their stories |
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Here are some ships and a taste of their stories - how they were built, their voyages and adventures, the people who made them and sailed on them.
Some of these ships will be nearby for you and it may even be possible for your YCC activity to take place on board.
You will find information about all of these in your libraries; your local museum or archive centre may have artefacts and documents relating to the ships and the people who sailed on them.
There are many more ships with stories - if there is one local to you email info@youngculturalcreators.com and we will add it to this list. |
Cutty Sark
Launched in 1869, the Cutty Sark is the last surviving example of a clipper sailing ship built for the tea trade. She is now moored in a dry dock at Greenwich , open to the public. In her lower hold is a unique collection of ship's figure heads. You can visit the Cutty Sark website and take a virtual tour of the ship.
Discovery
Captain Scott, polar explorer, sailed to the Antarctic in the ship Discovery in 1901-1904. You can take an online Antarctic adventure on the Discovery website
Empire Windrush
The ship Empire Windrush sailed from the West Indies in 1948 carrying people from the Caribbean seeking a new life in Britain. Have a look at these BBC Multicultural History pages for information about this ship and the Caribbean migrants who, with their descendants, have become a vital part of British society.
Endeavour
This was the first ship commanded by James Cook, the 18th century British explorer, navigator and astronomer. Take a virtual tour of this ship on the BBC website
Endurance
For background information on Ernest Shackleton and his astonishing expedition, as well as on his mentor Captain Scott, as well as copious details about Antarctica itself have a look at this Channel Four website about Shackleton.
Gypsy Moth IV
Sir Francis Chichester sailed round the world in his sailing boat Gypsy Moth IV in 1967. Read online about Gypsy Moth's journey.
Golden Hind
Elizabethan explorer, Sir Francis Drake, sailed to America in the Golden Hind, a ship whose replica is now moored on the Thames at London Bridge . You will find Drake's story.
HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast served throughout the Second World War, playing a leading part in the Normandy Landings. Explore HMS Belfast on a virtual tour.
HMS Matthew
Over 500 years ago John Cabot and his crew set sail for Asia aboard the original Matthew hoping to trade goods and commodities with the people who lived there. The replica of the Matthew is in Bristol harbour and the website for HMS Matthew includes an interesting description of what life on board might have been like for Cabot's crew.
Mayflower
Find out about the journey of the ship Mayflower when she sailed from England to America in 1620 with the Pilgrim Fathers.
Book: Kathryn Lasky Mayflower - the diary of Remember Patience Whipple 1620
HMS Warrior
The Warrior was Britain's first iron-hulled, armoured battleship, the pride of Queen Victoria. This ship revolutionised warship construction. Take a virtual tour around the Warrior.
SS Great Briton and SS Great Eastern
Find out about 2 great Victorian steamships, constructed under the supervision of the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The SS Great Britain is now moored in Bristol harbour; the SS Great Eastern has long gone for scrap but her story is told in an excellent exhibition at the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum in Cornwall.
Titanic
There are lots of books and websites about the ill-fated liner Titanic which was hit by an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank in 1912. Have a look at www.titanic.com and read the imaginary diary:
Ellen White - Voyage on the great Titanic - the diary of Margaret Brady
Victory HMS Victory
Stands today as the world's oldest commissioned warship. Still manned by Officers and Ratings of the Royal Navy, the Victory has seen over 200 years of almost continuous service. Best known for her role in the Battle of Trafalgar, the Victory currently has a dual role as the flagship of the Second Sea Lord and as a living museum to the Georgian navy. Have a look at the HMS Victory official website.
Books about Nelson and Trafalgar:
Sam Llewellyn - Admiral Nelson, The sailor who dared all to win
Elizabeth Laird - Secrets of the Fearless
The Fighting Temeraire
This ship was another champion of the Battle of Trafalgar, recorded for posterity in a painting by Turner,'The Fighting Temeraire being towed to her last berth.'
