Perhaps a summary of my experiences earlier this year may be useful.
Firstly, I wished to view and photograph a specific model. The description and reference number I found in the book "Ship Models - Their Purpose and Development from 1650 to the Present" by Lavery and Stevens. The book includes a listing of the models held by the NMM. The majority of the models are in storage at the facility at Kidbrooke, some miles away from Greenwich. Perhaps because my available time was limited, I was offered transport in the Museum shuttle van From Greenwich to Kidbrooke, with a later transit to the Ship Plans and Historic Photos Department at Woolwich, again some miles away. This transport was offered only on a Wednesday at 2pm from Greenwich NMM. The van was made full with Museum employees. While I was grateful for the service, I would strongly recommend personal transport, unless special arrangements for a group visit might be made with the Museum. Once there, I found that the Store Manager, Bernard Bryant, had seen that my model, in its large glass case, had been mounted on a trolley so that it could be moved a bit into the passageway to enable some photos to be taken. The available light was only modest, but with a 400 ASA film I obtained a good number of record shots with my now slightly old-fashioned Minolta. I had not attempted to use flash, as my experience has been that museums forbid it and in any case the dazzle on the glass case sometimes destroys the detail you are trying to record. Despite the provisions made to maneuver the case a little, I have to say that the space available between it and the adjacent storage items was very limited --- the corpulent should not try! --- no reflection on Bernard, who was most helpful.
Secondly, I wished to view the Ship's Cover for my particular ship. This is the Admiralty file that accompanies the development. This type of document is held by the Ship Plans Department at Woolwich. The Curator, Jeremy Mitchell, had the documents ready for me. Incidentally, Jeremy sent me by e-mail well ahead of time the detailed instructions and maps for getting to the facility, which is actually called "The Brass Foundry, The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich" --- the famous Arsenal of course no longer in use as such.
Thirdly, I wished to do some research at the Caird Library at the main facility at Greenwich. I prepared this ahead of time with Hellen Pethers, a Senior Library Assistant. Perhaps because of this preparation, I found that the material that I needed was quickly supplied. Note that the Library closes for lunch from 1300-1400 hrs.
After I had made some initial enquiries on the internet (e.g. through NMM), I was contacted on e-mail by Philippa Mackenzie of the NMM, who subsequently arranged for the details of my visit (including the application forms required to be submitted at least four weeks ahead of the visit), and coordinated with the various Sections. She was most helpful.
For those who want to travel about by train, you can download timetables
through BritRail.
The line that runs from Charing Cross (terminus) to
Greenwich also goes on to Woolwich Arsenal station (and beyond). Visitor
Passes that are obtainable in the US for visitors to London (usable on the
Underground, 'buses, and trains) are well worth while if substantial
exploration is planned. The cost of the pass is dependent on how many "zones"
you want to pass through from central London; the least costly or "basic"
package covers two zones, IIRC, practically everywhere of immediate interest to
the tourist. Greenwich station ( for the NMM, "Cutty Sark", the Greenwich
Observatory, etc.) is covered by the package; if you want to extend to Woolwich
Arsenal, you should pay the additional fare from Greenwich to W.A. at Charing
Cross.
{Brian Taylor}
Back?