The Caird Library and Archive at the National Maritime Museum has a rich variety of items which include manuscripts, charts and maps, journals and diaries, prints and drawings, rare books, pamphlets as well as business records, crew lists and masters' certificates. Also included are the modern book and periodical collections. This article gives a taster of the types of documents and rare items that are under the care of the library team.

We have all heard the saying ‘clothes maketh the man’. Perhaps it’s doubly true for women – especially those women who disguised themselves in order to run away to sea.

This month we investigate a small notebook from the Journal and Diary collection (RMG reference: JOD/325), kept by Thomas Edward Chilvers from the time he was serving in the Merchant Navy onboard the ship Empire Baffin. The Journal and Diary collection offers a fascinating insight into life at sea in the Royal and Merchant Navy, the fields of exploration and leisure activities in the words of those who contributed to laying the foundations of Britain’s maritime heritage.

Seafaring has always been a physically and mentally demanding role. To mark Day of the Seafarer we have invited the Seafarers Hospital Society to share about their role in promoting seafarer welfare during the last 200 years.

Did the polluted waters of the Thames contribute to Britain's worst inland waterway tragedy?

The Caird Library and Archive has several primary and secondary materials relating to marine artists. One of the highlights of our collection is the illustrated logbooks of Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821).

Last year has been a strange one for staff of the Caird Library as it has been for everyone. One of many things I have been missing from ‘normal’ life is the privilege of being able to travel and explore the world. Luckily for me, I can access the stories and images contained in our vast collection of travel journals to fill the void! I have chosen just one to share with you this month, written by a man who covered lots of ground…