A vast collection of maritime artifacts has found its home on the East Coast.
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The collection of Mainly Maritime’s curator Brian Morrison has been compiled over the course of decades, with some items dating back more than 600 years.
Mr Morrison’s collection formerly made up the Warships and Maritime Crops Museum at Franklin in the state’s South-East.
His new space at St Helens open up to the public about a week ago, and is already attracting curious locals and tourists.
Mr Morrison’s interest in the maritime began at a young age while living at Strahan on the West Coast.
He later moved to Mossman in NSW, and then travelled through Asia as part of the merchant navy.
His collection was first established in 1963 with the aim to preserve maritime history.
His gallery now contains more than 10,000 catalogued items, with some dating back 600 years.
Items on display include diaries and handwritten personal accounts of life in the navy, both ashore and afloat, alongside uniforms, ranks and rating badges, and medals.
There are also paintings, prints, and original recruiting posters from around the world, old navigational charts, and a library of thousands of books.
Gallery assistant Jean Rosevear said Mr Morrison was an “incredible collector of maritime items”.
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“He has so much respect for and thanks people who have contributed to this collection,” she said.
“It’s all quite amazing.”
Ms Rosevear was invited to talk about the opening of the new gallery and Mr Morrison’s contribution to the conservation of maritime history at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart on December 4.
Mainly Maritime is located at Pendrigh Place at St Helens.
The gallery’s opening times are 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday, October through to May.
Afterhours tours are available by appointment.
- For more information, visit the Mainly Maritime Facebook page or website at warshipmuseum.com.