We ’ d better start at the beginning , with the Command of the Oceans award-winning galleries . Learn all about the heyday of the Age of Sail , from how the likes of HMS Victory was designed and built , to the breathtaking archaeological discoveries of the timbers of the Namur and a treasure trove of objects recovered from the Invincible . Get hands-on with the trades that played such an important part here at the Dockyard , the stories of 2,500 workers and just how important this very special place was in maintaining Britain ’ s command of the world ’ s oceans .
What do ships need a lot of ? Rope . Miles and miles of it to be exact , so your next stop is Chatham Dockyard ’ s very own ropery ; the only one of the Royal Navy ’ s original Ropeyards still in operation . This very building has crafted rope for the mightiest vessels , including Nelson ’ s Victory , so the brand-new gallery and exhibition has plenty of tales to tell . Journey through the lives of the ropery workers , immerse yourself with hands-on activities and learn the importance of rope in British history , before watching today ’ s craftspeople at work in the iconic ropewalk .
Nothing tells the tale of the hard work and grit of the Dockyard ’ s workers like its three historic warships : HMS Gannet , HMS Ocelot and HMS Cavalier . These mighty ships still stand at the Dockyard , allowing today ’ s visitors to walk their decks and be transported to Victorian Britain , the Second World War and the Cold War .
It ’ s safe to say a lot changed between 19th-century and Cold War Britain , so the Steam , Steel and Submarines exhibition is the perfect place to learn of the workers who witnessed the Dockyard ’ s adaptation to new technology from warships to nuclear powered submarines . Along the way , stop off at the selfie spots and test
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