An Introduction to the Ships Plans Collection at the National Maritime Museum and Its Uses for Preserving Historic Ships

The Royal Museums Greenwich, serving as the National Repository for Admiralty ships plans and technical records, houses extensive collections that are pivotal in preserving historic ships. These collections, though underutilized beyond niche maritime research, offer critical insights into shipbuilding techniques, lost skills, and past propulsion systems. The study highlights their application in constructing replica vessels and modern warships, while also emphasizing their educational potential to revive traditional shipwright knowledge. Additionally, the archive provides valuable data for developing greener ship designs, drawing from hydrodynamic hull designs and cleaner propulsion methods from extensive sailing ship records.

Grover, A. (2023). AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SHIPS PLANS COLLECTION AT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM AND ITS USES FOR PRESERVING HISTORIC SHIPS. Historic Ships 2023. https://doi.org/10.3940/rina.hs.2023.02