Steam, Steel & Submarines
OPENING SPRING 2012 - Steam, Steel & Submarines
Opening in Spring 2012 - Steam, Steel and Submarines will tell the story of Chatham Dockyard and the Royal Navy’s use of the River Medway in the 19th and 20th centuries. It will represent a time of power, strength and adaptation, not only in terms of the ships built, but the people behind the dockyard, without which Britain may not have achieved such global influence.
From the launch of the Phoenix in 1832, the first steam paddle warship to be built at Chatham, to the final submarine Okanagan in 1966 there was a need for the dockyard to expand to remain competitive with other naval bases around the UK, impacting on social life in the area.
Chatham Dockyard and the Chatham Division of the Royal Navy played a central role in both the First and Second World Wars as well as later conflicts, and it is those people, who worked in often dangerous environments and faced adversity to ensure that Britain’s Navy was ready to fight, that were the real steam and steel of the Dockyard.
Please note that although this gallery has been open for previewing, it will be closed from 30th April-4 May for final fitting before its official opening on 12th May.
Please note that although this gallery has been open for previewing, it will be closed from 30th April-4 May for final fitting before its official opening on 12th May.