How to Visit a Museum Ship
Recently, I came across an article published by the National Endowment for the Humanities titled “How to Visit a Museum,” a short but informative list with tips for those about to embark on a cultural heritage adventure. Like the author, I have spent a good part of my life either working//volunteering in or visiting museums, especially maritime museums and museum ships. I have seen new-to-the-museum-experience visitors go aboard museum vessels with trepidation as they may not have adequately prepared for the experience. This is understandable if you are traveling and looking for something to do in the event of a last minute change in plans. Ships inspire curiosity in pretty much everyone. So, inspired by the NEH article, and the many times I have been asked why something isn’t done onboard ‘like in other places,” here are my tips for visiting a museum ship.
ACCESSIBILITY
Seating aboard the main deck of the Fram. Oslo, Norway, 2014
This aspect requires the most consideration when planning to visit a museum ship. Many, possibly most, ships are not designed with accessibility in mind. This wasn’t to slight anyone; ships are designed to maximize space for cargo and passengers, meaning ladders are used instead of stairs, corridors are narrower, and ceilings are low. The only kind of ships I can think of that make everything accessible by elevators and provide large, comfortable spaces are ocean liners. At least two of which are open to the public: The Queen Mary (Long Beach, CA) and the SS Rotterdam (Rotterdam, The Netherlands).
If limited mobility is a concern, there are still options for you! Many museum vessels now offer ramps to their main deck and some larger warships, like aircraft carriers, have the space to add elevators that may not have appeared on the original vessel. The USS Lexington (Corpus Christi, Texas) and the USS Intrepid (New York City) are both aircraft carrier museum ships where visitors with limited mobility can enjoy multiple decks via elevator access. According to the USS Intrepid’s website, they also offer a range of accessibility accommodations ranging from wheelchair access to sensory packs and ASL interpretation. If you have specific concerns that are not addressed online, send an email or call to ask!
Keep in mind that when discussing accessibility in museum ships, “accessiblity” encompasses a wider range of parameters. While it is exciting to be able to see inside a submarine instead of relying on Hollywood films, the reality is that if one is claustrophobic or has issues with flexibility and/or heat, it may not be advisable to try to board one of the many of those museums in existence. I’m pretty flexible, but being 6ft+//185cm already puts me at a disadvantage while attempting to move around a submarine and navigating through “knee knocker” hatches. I have bruised myself many times. In fact, the only time I didn’t have to watch my head on any sailing vessel was on the Vasa’s Upper Gun Deck (not open to the public) and that reprieve was, in fact, a design error.
Tiny doorways called “knee-knockers” aboard the USS Torsk,. Historic Ships Baltimore, 2018
Ships like the HMY Britannia (Leith, Scotland)(read about my visit here), Fram (Oslo, Norway), and RRS Discovery (Dundee, Scotland) have created complementing exhibits outside of the ship that allow for everyone to engage with the content. In the case of the Britannia, an elevator bank in the adjoining building allows access to all decks. The Fram and Discovery are two of my favorite ships to visit, not only because polar exploration is incredibly fascinating, but because of the wealth of exhibits that contextualize the ships’ importance.
RRS Discovery offers visitors who cannot get below decks a video tour. A good video no matter who watches. Discovery Point, Dundee, Scotland, 2019
If you still have accessibility concerns, try visiting a shipyard-style museum: these museums offer a diverse collection of vessels (that may or may not be open) and have interpretive panels explaining what each one is on the pier//jetty//dock. Honestly, if it’s not a highly customized ship, the interiors can start to look the same and the exteriors exhibit the most unique features.
My favorites are the Museumhaven (museum harbor) at the Rotterdam Maritime Museum—the former of which is getting a dedicated building in 2021— and Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut. If you are near Gothenburg, Sweden head to the Klippan neighborhood. There is a marina full of classic vessels away from crowds in the city center. Klippan was the base of the Swedish East India Company, now it is pretty quiet and residential with all the vibes of a nautically-oriented neighborhood.
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION
When your travel companion takes a polaroid and you have a “felt cute might delete later” feeling about it. But at least it I was warm! USS Texas, San Jacinto, Texas, 2016
Honestly I didn’t think much about “what to wear” until I found the Humanities article. Of course, there are hundreds of inspiration posts/pins/pictures of what to wear to a [usually art] museum, a la Instagram Influencer, but what does one//should one wear to visit a museum ship? Even though I can climb and roam around in pretty much anything (part habit, part necessity), I most often focus on comfort and durability.
I usually wear some sort of knit top and jeans and shoes in which I know I can walk miles and won’t trip me up if they get caught on a ladder rung or whatnot—either my Birkenstocks sandals or something like Sperrys. I would highly recommend avoiding anything with tassels or excessive decorations that could get caught in the myriad of latches and gaps and hooks found onboard. Not only could your clothing and accessories get torn or tangled, the resulting melee could damage the ship or objects onboard. I try to wear clothes that breathe well—below decks is usually stuffy//warm//muggy especially if you have been walking around all day. On warmer days, tar on lines (ropes) can become viscous and drop onto your clothes. It’s almost impossible to get off.
A light sweater or scarf is always useful to keep with you. If you are visiting on temperate day, being outside on deck can actually be a bit chilly; even more so if you are lucky enough to score a spot on a day sail. Always wear sunscreen.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
This rule really applies to any historic site or museum you visit: Check the website for hours, prices, and any special information you’ll need to know before you visit (seasonal//maintenance closures or special events). Visit the website’s Collection // Exhibits page(s) to get a sense of what you may not want to miss. If the website’s history about the ship isn’t enough, head over to Wikipedia; many will have articles and links to reputable sources of information. Download and browse their app if they have one.
Doing a bit of prep work before hand helps build confidence in your trip, gives you more more ownership of your experience, and minimizes time spent (yours and the staff’s) trying to figure out the logistics when you arrive, even if you are doing everything last minute. Basic questions can usually be answered with a simple visit to the organizations’ websites—if you have more unique questions, you can use the contact page online, or for the spontaneous trip, talked to the staff once you arrive .
MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME
Sometimes the way the ship is displayed is way more interesting the walking around the deck. Underneath the Cutty Sark, Greenwich, London, England, 2014
Some organizations offer behind the scenes tours of their vessel that allow visitors to access decks and rooms that are usually off limits to large numbers of visitors. If you have the time, take the opportunity to do so.
Use your time onboard to admire things that interest you, if you are an architecture nerd, spend time looking at the cabins or thinking about how the builders and designers created a space for maximum efficiency. Don’t feel like you have to see and admire everything onboard, if you aren’t feeling the exhibit on deckhand’s sleeping quarters, find something else to inspire you! If you looked at the collection online, you can take this time to spend more time admiring things that interested you; if this is a more ad hoc visit, seek inspiration from handouts!
Set a goal: If you watched Titanic and now want to see a real “thing-that-the-Bridge-Officer-moved-and-the-engine-room-man-mimicked,” (the machine is an Engine Order Telegraph//EOT//Chadburn, by the way) then find your way to one, there are many different varieties for different types of ships. If you’re new to ships, set simple goals. It can be overwhelming and there is a lot of new information to absorb.
As mentioned in the Humanities article, ask a question! Docents and volunteers are usually super into and passionate about the material and enjoy sharing what they’ve learned on their own time. I personally love asking the question, “What is your favorite thing not on the tour//handouts//display//panels?” Their responses sometimes represent the quirkiest, most made-for-Hollywood stories their respective ship has hosted. Just remember that there are others that probably want to ask a question, so be respectful of their time!
ALWAYS REMEMBER
-Obey signs regarding objects and prohibited areas. The signs are there for a reason—for your safety and for the ongoing preservation of the object//ships.
-Bring a camera!
-Have fun!
Have you visited museums ship and what to inspire others? Share your favorites in the comments!
Sources
Moyer, Steve. 2016. “How to Visit a Museum.” National Endowment for the Humanities. 2016. https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2016/summer/feature/how-visit-museum.