With nine galleries of ship models, maritime paintings, and artifacts, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a great place to learn about the history of Savannah, Georgia. The museum is located in the William Scarbrough House, a historic 1800’s mansion that was once the home of William Scarbrough. Scarbrough was part-owner of the Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean and one of the most important vessels in maritime history. Today, guests can tour the museum and learn about many of the ships that were used during the founding of our country. Here are some things you should know about the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum.
What You’ll See at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
The Savannah
Inside the museum, guests will find a collection of beautiful ship models including colonial vessels, ironclads, ocean steamers, and modern navy ships. Each has been strenuously researched and detailed, and all are built to the same scale. You’ll even find a replica of Scarbrough’s Savannah, which launched out of New York in 1818 and unfortunately sank off Fire Island in 1823. The museum’s stunning model is a wonderful tribute to this historic vessel.
The Anne
Also in the museum is a replica of the Anne, which sailed to America from Thames, England, in the fall of 1732. This 200-ton boat carried the first 114 men to the new colony of Georgia and was only 87 feet long and 26 feet wide. The voyage took about two months and ended in Charleston, SC, in 1733. Six days later, Anne sailed along the coast to Beaufort, SC, where the colonists were carried by small boats to the future site of the city of Savannah.
The Titanic
The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum also has a model of the Titanic. A sad and infamous story, the ship was built in Belfast, Ireland, in the early 1900’s for White Star Line, a British company owned by J.P. Morgan. At 882 feet long and 45,000 tons, the Titanic was by far the largest and most luxurious ship of its era. On April 14, 1912, during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, the ship struck an iceberg and sank in just over two hours – killing 1,498 out of the 2,201 on board. Today, the museum has a truly breathtaking model of the Titanic in its exhibits.
Come Home to the Presidents’ Quarters Inn!
The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a great place to spend the afternoon and offers a wonderful array of ship models to enjoy. Now that you know about a few of the museum’s finest features, it’s time for you to start planning your trip! When searching for the perfect homestead in Savannah, look no further than the Presidents’ Quarters Inn. Located on Oglethorpe Square in the heart of the historic district, our inn is just a short 15-minute walk from the museum and plenty of other fantastic attractions. We can’t wait to hear about what you discover in Savannah!
Photo Credit: Creatas | Thinkstock
