The Scottish Maritime Museum’s first touring exhibition celebrates the rich maritime heritage of North Ayrshire’s ‘Three Towns’ and their historic connection to the Merchant Navy.
Bound by the Sea – Three Towns and the Merchant Navy, which opens at North Ayrshire Heritage Centre on 1 June, explores how the Three Towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston each developed their own distinct identity whilst remaining closely tied through the Merchant Navy.
Saltcoats became known for the production and export of salt as well as the Allan Shipping Line, founded in 1819 by local man Captain Alexander Allan. His son Hugh later established the weekly Royal Mail Transatlantic Service and became one of the richest men in the world at the time. Ardrossan, with its strategically placed natural harbour, grew into one of the most important ports on Scotland’s west coast. Stevenston attracted Alfred Nobel who established his explosives factory there with products shipped through nearby ports.
Altogether, Bound by the Sea reveals how these seemingly modest towns launched shipping empires and produced generations of brave Merchant Navy sailors whose courage sustained Britain through peace and war.
Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the team at North Ayrshire Council’s Information and Culture on Bound by the Sea, our first touring exhibition. It is exciting to shine a light on these three towns which are part of our wider community and which offer a fascinating insight into life at sea and Scotland’s rich maritime industries.
“Through artefacts from our nationally Recognised maritime heritage collection alongside items from North Ayrshire Heritage Centre’s own collection, the exhibition brings local maritime stories to life – from the more well-known stories of Alfred Nobel and the Allan Shipping Line to the untold stories of generations of local sailors who served at sea in both peace and wartime.”
Lesley Forsyth, Senior Manager, Information and Culture, North Ayrshire Council adds: “Information and Culture are delighted to be working with our friends at the Scottish Maritime Museum on another amazing project. The rich heritage of North Ayrshire is filled with many amazing tales and stories and we are proud to partner with other local museums to help share these stories and raise awareness of our past.”
For many people across the Three Towns, the Merchant Navy was a respected career with steady employment and wages that were often better than available ashore. Almost every family knew someone who sailed.
Local sailors served in the Merchant Navy during both World Wars. Known as the Merchant Service before the First World War, it was renamed the Merchant Navy in 1918 in recognition of the wartime bravery shown by crews transporting food, fuel and essential supplies and escorting convoys across the Atlantic whilst under the constant threat of German U Boats.
The exhibition features uniforms, ship models, photographs, voyage diaries and personal belongings offering a vivid insight into life at sea and the experience of the communities shaped by the Merchant Navy and shipping.
Bound by the Sea – Three Towns and the Merchant Navy will be on display at the North Ayrshire Heritage Centre from 1 June to 31 August.
