Foundation of National Naval Museum
… The Royal United Service Institution, the best-known and most centrally situated museum of its kind, naturally receives from owners many naval objects for exhibition; but the space available for the purpose limited, and the authorities there might well be inclined to pass on many of those for which they cannot find room. Similarly, there the collection of models in the Mercury museum formed by the late Captain who founded CAR Hoare who founded the training ship. There are between 120 and 130 models of various descriptions, the most interesting being those of 17th century and early 18th century men-of-war.
The value of these to students of naval architecture must he manifest. but they not easily accessible for the purpose. It is believed that a promise has been given by the board of governors of the Mercury that these models shall not pass out of the country, as did those of the Sergison collection at Cuckfield Park (now on exhibition in New York). If it could be arranged that these models should be purchased for the nation and transferred to Greenwich, the transaction would be beneficial to all concerned …
The Times 8 June 1927
Footnote: The National Maritime Museum was created by the National Maritime Museum Act 1934 under a Board of Trustees, appointed by HM Treasury. It is based on the generous donations of Sir James Caird (1864–1954). King George VI formally opened the museum on 27 April 1937 when his daughter Princess Elizabeth accompanied him for the journey along the Thames from London. From Wikipedia.
More on the Cuckfield Park models at https://www.cuckfieldconnections.org.uk/post/exclusive-export-of-cuckfield-models-results-in-national-maritime-museum
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Contributed by Malcolm Davison.
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