Dan Snow re-opens Maritime Museum
Broadcaster and historian Dan Snow was at the 18th century shipbuilding village of Buckler’s Hard on the Beaulieu River yesterday, to re-open the attraction’s Maritime Museum following a winter-long period of refurbishment and re-display.
Guest of honour, Snow, was presented with a signed print of the Launch of the Euryalus by artist, David Bell. The Euryalus was one of over a hundred ships built at Buckler’s Hard during the 18th and 19th centuries, and was one of the ships that saw action in the Trafalgar campaign, led by Admiral Lord Nelson.
Snow said: “The Beaulieu River is the great jewel in the crown of the South Coast.
“This was a centre of an incredible industrial experiment and we should think of the amazing men who have been associated with this village.”
The broadcaster was then given a guided tour of the impressive new display by Mary Montagu Scott, daughter of Lord Montagu, who researched and project managed the re-display.
Mrs Montagu Scott said: “My father started up a museum here in 1963 to tell the story of the shipbuilding industry which began here in the 18th century. He appealed to the public for interesting artefacts, such as ship plans, models, pictures, and original documents and maps, and people from the local village and beyond responded. When it was opened it was very popular and many people came.
“The museum now offers a new interpretation of Buckler’s Hard and the Beaulieu River, focusing on its ships, which have been the inspiration for a wealth of art, literature and films.”
Chapters in the more recent history of this fascinating village are also revealed in the museum including the remarkable story of the P&O liner, SS Persia and its links with Rolls Royce and the Montagu family. In December 1915, the ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in the Mediterranean. On board were Lord John Montagu and his personal assistant Eleanor Thornton, the model for the iconic Rolls Royce mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. John Montagu survived but Eleanor perished.
Buckler’s Hard and the Beaulieu River also played an important role during WWll. Sections of the ‘Mulberry Harbour’ were made here and hundreds of craft sailed from the Beaulieu River in the D-Day landings. A film presentation tells the story of Buckler’s Hard at war.
In a special display, you can learn about the exploits of the first solo world voyager, Sir Francis Chichester, who famously circumnavigated the globe in his yacht, Gypsy Moth lV, arriving at the end of his epic journey at Buckler’s Hard.
Historic displays in the Labourer’s and Shipwright’s cottages show how the village would have looked in the early 1800s and in the New Inn, you can hear residents from the time gossiping about local matters.
During the opening Mrs Montagu Scott also spoke of a recent discovery in the village: “During the restoration of a number of cottages damaged by subsidence, a cellar was discovered and it was soon realised it was more than likely used as a smuggling den!
“The Beaulieu River was believed to be a major landing point for smuggled goods from the late 18th century, with the cottage that is now the Chapel, a centre of operations. A glass plate has been set into the new floor allowing visitors to see into the cellar below where once contraband good would have been stored.”
