Photographs of British lighthouses purchased for The Mariners’ Museum Collection in 1936 from Bertram M. Chambers, an admiral in the Royal Navy. Symbolically, lighthouses offer a message of hope and determination when facing adversity.

The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was formed in 1942. It was the first time, and the only group, that integrated women into the United States Military. Around 150,000 women volunteered to serve in the WAC during World War II.

The Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation (HRPE) was the third largest US Army Transportation Corps port of embarkation during WWII. It served as a hub for the movements of millions of troops between 1942-1946. 

Train accident, Laurel Delaware 1904. Locomotive plunges into river crushing schooner "Golden Gate."

Marion Barbara “Joe” Carstairs would be the first to tell you that she was “never a little girl.” Joe saw a lot of racing success, taking the trophies at several competitions in Southampton and Cannes. In 1925 Joe became “the fastest woman on water” during the Duke of York’s Trophy, a four-and-a-half mile race down the Thames. 

Taken from the water, this 1930s photograph offers a spectacular view of the Colonial Line pier with New York City in the background.

Go behind the scenes in the galleries & with staff of the Mariners' Museum during our temporary closure due to the pandemic in this photo series.

Go behind the scenes with staff of the Mariners' Museum during our temporary closure due to the pandemic in this exclusive photo series.

Go behind the scenes in the galleries & with staff of the Mariners' Museum during our temporary closure due to the pandemic in this photo series.

I came across a curious image of an excursion steamer and a rather heartwarming story I’d like to share with you. It’s the story of how a city in the midst of the tuberculosis pandemic and periodic cholera outbreaks, came to help its poorest inner-city kids. It’s the story of a place called Soupy Island. The steamer is the Elizabeth Monroe Smith.