Essential Information
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In 2024 the National Maritime Museum introduced a new ‘Object in Focus’ programme, featuring a changing display of objects picked from the collection by members of the Museum’s Visitor and Sales team.
The idea is to create small displays of objects that are not often seen and provide a platform for our passionate and knowledgeable Visitor and Sales Assistants to share these stories with visitors.
At least one of our free Gallery Favourite talks each day is related to one of the objects in these displays. The content of these talks depends on the staff giving them.
Come and see the objects in the Voyagers gallery at the National Maritime Museum and explore our talks and tours programme.
Items currently on display
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A whistle used during the tragic sinking of the Titanic in April 1912
Cecil Fitzpatrick, an Irish steward on board Titanic, used this whistle to summon help during the sinking. One of a group of 20 men clinging to an upturned lifeboat, Fitzpatrick was eventually rescued by the occupants of Lifeboat 12. This included second-class passenger Lilian Bentham, who helped pull the men aboard the lifeboat and wrapped Fitzpatrick in one of the coats she was wearing to protect him from the bitter cold. Fitzpatrick gave his whistle to her in gratitude.
Come to the National Maritime Museum to see this poignant object and listen to a talk by one of our Visitor and Sales Assistants.
This item will be on display until 7 July.
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Domino box
By an unknown maker, 1805–14
A French prisoner of war made this games box, consisting of a dominoes set and cribbage board, while captive in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars. To alleviate boredom, prisoners used improvised tools to make detailed ship models, mechanical toys, trinket boxes and games sets using animal bones, paper, wood, hair and straw.
This box, made from wood and bone, is decorated with a memorial to Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson, who was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The box contains 46 dominoes and three dice.
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