Essential Information

Type Workshops
Location
National Maritime Museum
Date and Times Wednesday 26 October to Thursday 27 October 2022 | 10am-4pm
Prices Free for unemployed adults | Lunch provided

Unemployed with time on your hands? Come join us for the opportunity to create your own ghost ship and learn new skills.

What will the workshop cover?

The Disappearing Lines workshop is a combination of practical hands-on activities interwoven with capturing the stories of a craft in danger of extinction.

The two-day workshop will give you the opportunity to try your hand at two key processes in traditional wooden boat building – steam bending and copper-rivet fastening. Through demonstrating and tutoring, you will create your own miniature oak ribcage of a boat — a ghost ship symbolising the disappearing lines of the craft. You do not need to be skilled in woodwork and it is accessible to all ages.

hands and arms holding the skeleton of a miniature boat

The workshop will bring to life examples of working boats in danger of extinction. You are also invited to bring your own memory objects linked to a local boat that is endangered or lost and share the narrative attached to it.

This is a free workshop for unemployed/retired adults with lunch provided.

Spaces are limited, so please book soon to avoid disappointment. Please do not book unless you can make both days. 

Bending a memory plank - hand bending slat of wood Riveting a memory plank - hands with hammer and rivets in progress

To enquire about this workshop, please contact learning@rmg.co.uk

Image Gail McGarva traditional wooden boat builder

About the tutor

Disappearing Lines will be delivered by professional wooden boatbuilder Gail McGarva.

Gail McGarva specialises in the building of replicas of boats in danger of extinction, which has seen her receive a British Empire Medal. In 2017 she was awarded an Arts Council Individual Grant for the Arts in support of the Story Boat Project.

The Story Boat is a miniature maritime museum that Gail created from the upturned boat Vera from 1923, giving her a new lease of life on land as the keeper of memories and encapsulates Gail’s passion for the preservation of traditional craft. The ongoing work of the Story Boat Project is an integration of Gail’s work as a boat builder, workshop facilitator and teller of stories.

This project Disappearing Lines is inspired by the story of Vera and the sense of urgency that many of our working boats like her are in danger of extinction. The craft of traditional wooden boat building and building by eye are also endangered skills.

What’s On

Find more events at the National Maritime Museum.

Astronomy Photographer of the Year
Exhibitions

Astronomy Photographer of the Year

See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Open daily | 10am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Women of the RNLI
Exhibitions

Women of the RNLI

Celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea at the National Maritime Museum
2 March – 1 December 2024
Free
National Maritime Museum
Character Encounters
Talks and tours

Character Encounters

Visit the National Maritime Museum every Saturday to discover a different character from history with their own fascinating story to tell
Saturdays
Free Entry
National Maritime Museum
LGBTQ+ Family Network
Family fun | Identity

LGBTQ+ Family Network

A safe space for local LGBTQ+ families to meet one another, get involved in creative activities for all ages and explore the stories within the collection
21 September | 10am-12pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Discover Sundays
Family fun

Discover Sundays

Each Sunday come and explore the Museum's collection through hands on creative activities
Term time Sundays | 11am - 1pm | 2pm - 4pm
Free | Drop-in
National Maritime Museum
Fly me to the Moon
Talks and tours | Member events

Fly me to the Moon

A Flamsteed Astronomy Society lecture by Dr Megan Argo
Monday 23 September 2024 | Doors at 6.30pm, event starts at 7.15pm
Flamsteed Members: FREE| Guests of Flamsteed Members: £15 | Royal Museums Greenwich Members: £12
National Maritime Museum
Play Tuesdays
Family fun

Play Tuesdays

Bring your under 5 on a different adventure every week! Explore the Museum together through song, dance and stories
Term time Tuesdays | 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm
£4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months free
National Maritime Museum
Safe Harbour
Family fun

Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour is a series of free workshops created to provide a safe space for foster and adoptive families with children under 13 years
Monthly: Next date 28 Sept 2024 | 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
Saturday Art Club
Workshops

Saturday Art Club

Join the weekly creative drop-in for young people aged 13-16 during term time at the National Maritime Museum
Saturdays from October 2024 - April 2025 | 10am-1pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
SENsory Sailors
Family fun

SENsory Sailors

Come along and enjoy this brand new sensory play session for children under 13 years with special educational needs
Once a month on Saturdays | 11am-12.30pm
Free | Pre-booking required
National Maritime Museum
Trafalgar Day Members' tour
Talks and tours | Member events

Trafalgar Day Members' tour

Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery at the National Maritime Museum with curator Dr Katherine Gazzard
Monday 21 October 2024 | 3pm-4pm
Free | Members only
National Maritime Museum
The Ghosts of Greenwich - storytelling session for young people
Family fun | Member events

The Ghosts of Greenwich - storytelling session for young people

Hear some spooky stories from around Greenwich and learn how to craft your own tales in this Halloween workshop
Friday 1 November | 11am-midday, 1.30pm-2.30pm and 3pm-4pm
Free | Members only
National Maritime Museum
BSL Tour: Amazing Animals in Maritime History
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Amazing Animals in Maritime History

Join historian and guide John Wilson at the National Maritime Museum, for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour about remarkable animals
Saturday 15 February 2025 | 1.15pm-2.15pm
Free
National Maritime Museum