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Set sail for Southampton's
SeaCity Museum and discover the golden age of the ocean liner
Photographs with thanks to Southampton
City Council
IT did not take long before Southampton
has come up with its response to Liverpool's growing popularity within the
cruise liner industry and the growing nostalgia war, between the Cities over the
Cruise Liner industry. Southampton, to give them credit, has played a major part
in the development of the industry ever since Liverpool gave birth to the
industry. The latest kick from Southampton comes in the form of an exhibition.
This exhibition looks at the golden age of the liners, from the 1920's to the
1950's. Ocean liners were the lifeblood of Southampton, bringing employment,
industry and glamour to the City, just as they did in Liverpool. From the early
days in the 1890's to modern day cruise liners, Port Out, Southampton Home, a
brand new major exhibition exclusive to SeaCity Museum, tells the story of these
great ships and evokes the romance of sea travel and life on board. Items on
display will include a wide range of rarely seen items from the City's maritime
collection, including ship models, posters, photographs and ephemera from the
great liners such as menu cards and souvenirs. From what we are told, it is like
what is on offer in Liverpool's Maritime
Museum
and in the Museum of
Liverpool, except Liverpool's are permanent
exhibitions, whereas Southampton's will only be on display until 4 June 2017. 
Southampton's Ocean Liner Exhibition, we are told will be
complemented with furniture and other items from some of the famous ships that
called Southampton home, such as the Mauretania, Queen Mary and QE2. We are also
informed that you can learn about the people who travelled and worked the oceans
aboard these iconic ships through letters, diaries and oral history interviews
with passengers and crew. Visitors of all ages will be entertained by engaging
activities on hand, including the opportunity to dress up as a captain or
steward!
Mike Harris, Service Director for Growth at Southampton City
Council said:- "Our new exhibition at SeaCity Museum will show how the
City's relationship with the ocean liner began and then grew in the early 20th
century, and utilises items from our own extensive maritime collection. The City
is now known as the Cruise Capital of Europe, with over 1.6 million people
coming to Southampton each year to board these incredible ships. This is a great
opportunity for visitors and local residents to discover the story behind the
cruise industry, and will also highlight Southampton's enduring relationship
with the some of the world's most famous ships."
One Liverpool's mariners who had already seen this announcement told us:-
"We just love that Southampton is trying to cash in on the fact Liverpool had
Capital of Culture by using the term, Cruise Capital of Europe. They must be
worried that Liverpool is on the rise again!"
Jokes and rivalry aside, this exhibition looks like it will be worth a visit,
should you be in the Southampton area this year.
For more information about this exhibition we
recommend you visit the official website:-
SeaCityMuseum.Co.UK. |
