Maritime history is an important part of the New Zealand story and this gallery illustrates significant times in the history of Otago and New Zealand.
 
Assisted by the Otago Maritime Society, the Otago Museum presents this world of nautical records and artefacts among which is the famous old-style copper helmeted diver’s suit almost identical to the original invented in 1839.

You can’t miss the huge 18 metre long fin whale skeleton, articulated in 1884, in the centre of the Maritime Gallery. One of our oldest icons, the fin whale skeleton was found on a beach in Nelson at the entrance to the Waimea River in 1882. Captain Jackson Barry toured the South Island and displayed the skeleton to people for a fee of sixpence. He laboriously carted the skeleton overland, eventually arriving in Dunedin where he left the skeleton with the Otago Museum. Unfortunately, during Captain Barry's tour a few of the skeleton's smaller bones were lost. Replicas of these missing bones were crafted out of wood by Dr Bourne of the University of Otago, to make this one of only a few 'complete' fin whale skeletons in the world.

You’ll also find one of the best collections of ship models in the Southern Hemisphere, most of which are the original builders’ models of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, whose origins lie in Dunedin.

Downloadable Children's Activity
Lord Horratio

For more information on the Otago Maritime Society contact Chairman, Bruce Collins at bcollins@clear.net.nz