Museums' Exhibitions
Click on the titles and pictures below to enter the online exhibitions
or click on the museum names for musuem information.
A Taste of Felixstowe Museum
Index
Introduction
These pages are an introduction to a few of the themes and items that are currently on display at Felixstowe Museum.
Our maritime displays deal with the Royal and Merchant Navies but specifically with HMS Beehive, East coast paddle steamers, Felixstowe Experimental Seaplane Establishment the developement of the Port of Felixstowe and local maritime history.
A Taste of Felixstowe Museum
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Rope Cordage and Knotwork
In modern commercial ships a knowledge of ropework is rarely needed. On board any sailing ship almost all the crew need to be able to bend (join) two cord ends together, to hitch one end to any object or create a loop anywhere along its length with the appropriate knot. Likewise, using rope, such actions could be achieved by splicings.
Although with active minds many sailors were illiterate and to keep 'idle hands out of mischief' off watch hours were often spent doing craft work including wood or whalebone carving, model making, and turning practical knotting skills into decorative work. Macrame, braid making, coverings,mats and belts were all opportunities for artistic creativity.
The display by Ken Higgs RN Rtd in the HMS Beehive room shows a few aspects of what can be done with a bit of string ! Ken is a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers and continues to keep the art of knotwork alive in East Anglia and elsewhere.
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Exhibition: A Taste of Felixstowe Museum
Four young sailors at Felixstowe
Scouts using the dressing up box at Felixstowe Museum in October 2008
