Dockyard Museum, Nelsons Dockyard National Park, English Harbour, Antigua
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PersonsMD
N 17° 00.531 W 061° 46.013
20Q E 631259 N 1880947
Set in the Victorian Admiral’s House dating to 1855 the Dockyard and Naval History Museum presents the maritime history of English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard. First used in 1671 the area became a central hub of Naval activity in the area.
Waymark Code: WM82VY
Location: Antigua and Barbuda
Date Posted: 01/17/2010
Views: 13
The Nelson's Dockyard Museum is also known as the Antigua Naval History Museum and is located in Nelsons Dockyard National Park. The original Naval Officer's House (Admiral's House) is a Victorian building dates to 1855 and the current home of the museum.
The museum presents several artifacts and historical information and provides a unique gift shop and book store for souvenir hunters and history buffs. Several personal items of Horatio Nelson including his telescope are presented. The second floor is dedicated to the military history of English Harbour.
As Captain of in HMS Boreas, Nelson came to the Caribbean Leeward Islands in 1784 leading a squadron of ships. His orders were to enforce the Navigation Act in the area to prevent any trade of goods not carried aboard British ships. He was also charged with developing the dock and naval facilities within English Harbor in Antigua. Nelson is said to have hated Antigua and spent most of his tour of duty here aboard his ship.
The museum presents the historical record of the use of the area including the use of the harbor as a shelter from hurricanes in 1671 and to careen ships of the British Royal Navy. Careening is a process beaching a ship at high tide to expose one side or another of the ship's hull for maintenance.
The first buildings were erected in 1725 and the museum tells the story of how the Dockyard was built, its purpose, the social conditions encountered by the people who worked and toiled in this ancient naval establishment.
Nelson’s figurehead welcomes visitors to the museum. On display are ship models, tools, instruments and excavated artifacts from the naval hospital and other dockyard buildings of the sailing ship days.
The facility also houses a library with reference books. The library includes a lending section as well as a paperback swop section. A large database of naval history is available for researchers.
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