Pacific Encounters gallery at the National Maritime Museum

Permanent gallery

Essential Information

Location	National Maritime Museum
Price	Free

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The Pacific is the world’s largest ocean, covering one third of the globe. Its vast sea connects thousands of islands and many diverse cultures.

For thousands of years Tangata Moana – the peoples of the Pacific – have navigated across this mighty ocean, using the skilled art of wayfinding to guide them on their journeys. Not until the 16th century did Europeans begin to explore the region.

The Pacific Encounters gallery at the National Maritime Museum examines the early encounters between Pacific communities and European explorers, and explores the legacies of those encounters today.

Inside the gallery

This gallery was created in collaboration with all communities from across the Pacific Ocean, based both in the UK and the Pacific.

For Tangata Moana (peoples of the Pacific Ocean), many ‘objects’ housed or displayed in European museums are precious cultural and ancestral treasures; powerful, sacred, breathing and connected. Respecting these treasures acknowledges their mana, or power.

European voyages to the Pacific began to increase during the 18th century. This was prompted by an interest in science and exploration – to map the region’s coasts and islands and record its wildlife and cultures – but also to identify land and resources for trade and exploitation.

In Britain, many of these expeditions were commissioned by the Admiralty. Between 1768 and 1780, Captain James Cook embarked on three voyages to the Pacific. Cook’s voyages brought new information that aided Western understanding of the world. However, they also brought lasting consequences for Pacific communities.

In the wake of Cook’s voyages, European missionaries, settlers and administrators arrived across the Pacific. While some interactions between Europeans and peoples of the Pacific were positive, many were violent, resulting in the loss of life, land and cultural heritage. The gallery aims to be a space to address these difficult legacies.

More recently, there has been a revival of the arts, heritage, customs and cultures of the Pacific – a source of pride and a cause for celebration across the ocean and its diverse communities.

Gallery highlights

Tap the arrows to discover more about what you can find in the Pacific Encounters gallery.

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Adi Yeta

Come and say hello to Adi Yeta, a Fijian canoe known as a drua.

Adi Yeta was built in 2014-15 using traditional methods. The canoe is bound together by magimagi (coconut husk fibres) and has no nails in its construction.

Marshall Islands stick chart

Made from wooden sticks and cowrie shells, this personal map from Majel (the Marshall Islands) was used by navigators to remember areas of ocean. This chart would have been an important tool to teach the art of wayfinding. The curved sticks represent currents and wave patterns, while the shells mark specific islands.

K1

This elaborate timekeeper from 1769 has a fascinating story to tell. It was used during Captain James Cook’s second voyage to the Pacific (1772-75) to help calculate longitude (the position located east to west). The clock performed exceptionally well, and was even described by Cook as ‘our trusty friend’. The clock is based on H4, a prize-winning timekeeper created by clockmaker John Harrison.

Paintings of Kangaroo and Dingo, George Stubbs

Following his work on Cook’s first Pacific voyage (1768-71), scientist Sir Joseph Banks commissioned artist George Stubbs to create two paintings of a kangaroo and a dingo.

Despite never having seen the animals in person, Stubbs created these artworks based on the sketches, descriptions and animal skins brought back from the voyage. Stubbs’s paintings are the first depictions of the Australian animals in Western art.

An image for 'Paintings of Kangaroo and Dingo, George Stubbs'

Bark cloth

Bark cloth is a textile made by beating the inner bark of trees, such as mulberry. This piece dates from the 19th century and has a bold design, incorporating shell patterns and symbols representing centipedes.

While it's unknown where this bark cloth originated, suggestions include Niue, Rarotonga or Samoa.

The War Boats of Tahiti by William Hodges

Artist William Hodges accompanied Cook on his voyages to the Pacific. He turned his sketches into vibrant paintings, such as this one, titled The War Boats of Tahiti. This artwork depicts Tahitian chiefs preparing for battle with the neighbouring Mo’orea. In this video, see how Hodges’ largest surviving painting was prepared for display at the Museum.

Captain Bligh’s coconut bowl

Signed and dated ‘W Bligh / April 1789’, this coconut bowl was used by Captain William Bligh on his endeavour from Tofua to Timor. Captain Bligh commanded HMS Bounty, a ship that set out on an expedition from Tahiti in 1787 to collect breadfruit to transport to the West Indies.

The voyage was beset with difficulties and culminated in a mutiny. Bligh and 18 men were cast adrift in an open boat. Bligh navigated from memory to sail to Timor, an undertaking that took 47 days. This cup was used by Bligh during this turbulent time.

An image for 'Captain Bligh’s coconut bowl'

Mai

Mai became the first Pacific Islander to visit Britain when he joined HMS Adventure, a vessel that accompanied Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific.

During his time in Britain, Mai was seen as a celebrity – and also an object of curiosity. He was introduced to King George III, taken to the theatre and painted by leading artists. Mai returned to Tahiti two years later with European gifts and weapons.

Join a tour

Gain a deeper insight into some of the Museum’s most prized – and lesser-known – objects on display with one of our friendly guides.

Daily tours are available when you visit, or you can choose to follow one of our dedicated audio guides and explore the Museum at your own pace.

Visiting Pacific Encounters

Where is the gallery?

Pacific Encounters is a permanent gallery at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, located on the first floor. Entry to the Museum is free: book tickets online in advance to guarantee entry and receive updates before you visit.

Download a museum map

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Follow the gallery guide

Tours and audio guides

Pacific Encounters features as part of the range of audio guides available at the National Maritime Museum. Listen to a free introduction to the gallery here, or find out more about objects on display by ordering a special Treasures Tour.

Accessibility

BSL is included as part of the National Maritime Museum audio guide. Large print guides are also available inside the gallery. For more information about accessibility at the National Maritime Museum, click here.

Gallery closures

Occasionally some gallery closures may affect your visit to the National Maritime Museum. Find details of upcoming closures here.

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