Collection: The Dock Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection overview (Cornucopia)

  Science and Industry Collection

  The history and ongoing development of the Barrow shipyard features heavily in this collection and particularly the long associated firm of Vickers. Collections represent the wide range of work carried out by the Yard from shipbuilding to general engineering. In addition to a number of items of machinery, there is a collection of ship models dating from 1873 (first launch date from the shipyard) to the 1950s. The town has been associated with submarine building since 1901 and this theme is a particular focus for future collecting. The other key industries that influenced the growth and development of the town in the 19th century, iron mining and iron and steel production, are also featured. The history of iron mining ranges from that carried out by the Cistercian Monks at Furness Abbey to the boom in the late 19th century and decline around the 1960s. Steel production began in the area around 1700 and again a small but developing collection traces its history and the lives of the steelworkers and key personalities of the industry. The various other local industries of the 19th-20th centuries also feature in the collections including the Jute Works and shipbreaking depot.

  Subjects

  Science and Industry

  Maritime Collection

  The museum has acquired material relating to the development of the port and docks, which played a key part in the town’s development. In addition to documentary evidence, the museum has several boats with local connections; ‘Nance’, a 1913 Morecambe Bay prawner on permanent display; the’ White Rose’ racing yacht (1887); the ‘Herbert Leigh’ lifeboat that served in the 1950s; and the ‘Banshee’, a 1866 pilot boat/prawner. There is also a selection of souvenirs from ships and shipyards.

  Subjects

  Maritime

  Photographic Collection

  The Vickers Photographic Archive consists of over 7000 glass and film negatives and also around 100 16mm films ranging from 1878 to 1972.

  Subjects

  Photographic equipment

  Transport Collection

  There is a small collection linked to the development and operation of the Furness Railway, including material associated with the daily lives of the railway workers and key figures in its history.

  Subjects

  Transport

  Ethnography Collection

  The museum acquired some ethnographic material early on in its history and these are included in a very small collection of foreign items (mainly African and Indian weapons). The items were collected as souvenirs by local people from around the British Empire before the First World War and this collection is effectively closed.

  Subjects

  Ethnography

  Geology Collection

  The Museum Service holds a large number of local rock, mineral and small fossil specimens, some having a connection with the industrial development of the area and other collections representing some of the earliest types of animals (mainly invertebrates) and plants found in the Barrow area and also the rich mineral deposits.

  Subjects

  Geology

  Archaeology Collection

  The majority of the collection is Prehistoric in date, from Late Mesolithic to Iron Age, mostly of local origin and chance finds, but with some excavated material. Objects include human and animal bone, burial urns, a large quantity of stone tools (mostly Langdale axes. Smaller amounts of bronze items and objects from the Roman and Medieval periods also feature.

  Subjects

  Archaeology

  Biology Collection

  A collection of mounted birds and mammals, many of local origin and acquired in the early 20th century, including work by local taxidermist G. H. Murray of Carnforth. There are also birds’ eggs, shells (freshwater and marine molluscs), insects (particularly butterflies), sub fossil remains and coral.

  Subjects

  Biology

  Fine Art Collection

  Oils, watercolours, drawings and prints, mainly by locally associated artists including George Romney. Many of the works are 19th-20th century, but with some earlier examples. There are also a small number of other British and non-British works represented.

  Subjects

  Fine Art

  Social History Collection

  An extensive collection of local and social history covering a broad range of subjects and mainly late 19th and 20th centuries. The strengths of the collections are local trade and commerce, particularly the local Co-op Movement, domestic items, healthcare, entertainment, education and costume.

  Subjects

  Social History

  Oral History Collection

  The museum is in the process of developing an oral history archive of recording connected to the experiences of the shipyard workers and their various trades.

  Subjects

  Oral history

  Agriculture Collection

  An insignificant collection, mainly of smaller-sized items rather than any large machinery or equipment.

  Subjects

  Agriculture

  Arms and Armour Collection

  A small collection of firearms and edged weapons, not a priority for development.

  Subjects

  Arms and Armour

  Costume and Textile Collection

  A small collection of mainly W.W.II uniform and some general costumes.

  Subjects

  Costume and Textile

  Decorative and Applied Art Collection

  Some furniture, ceramics and glassware.

  Subjects

  Decorative and Applied Arts

  Source: Cornucopia

  Date: Not known, but before 2015

  Licence: CC BY-NC