The Lynton Album
Lai Fong's rare photographs of a tea clipper
Home Collections Historic vessels
01 — Vessels
Historic vessels
From herring smacks to naval cutters, this is the working harbour brought indoors — and in two cases, kept afloat alongside the quay.
What the collection holds
Boats you can board
The 1898 herring smack Skerry Maid and the naval cutter Alert lie alongside the museum quay, rigged and open daily with crew aboard to answer questions.
Builder's models
Forty half-hull and full builder's models show how Thistlewick yards lofted, framed and planked vessels from 1700 to the age of steam.
Working gear
Nets, sails, blocks and rigging salvaged from the last commercial sailing fleet — much of it still handled in our boatbuilding demonstrations.
Not to miss
