‘Architectural Gem’ houses hidden naval and military collections
Wednesday, 30th April 2008
'3 Slip – The BIG Store’ at The Historic Dockyard Chatham was officially opened today by Roy Clare and Mark Wood of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
This imposing building, No 3 Covered Slip, is best known for its dramatic and awe inspiring wooden roof structure. It has been transformed into a joint museum store for “really large objects” from the collections of both The Historic Dockyard and the Royal Engineers Museum Gillingham. Intriguing dockyard and military artefacts on display include large steam hammers and marine engines, a Second World War midget submarine, the Victorian railway carriage used by General Kitchener in Sudan and ‘Overlord’, a railway locomotive used in the D Day landings. 3 Slip – The BIG Store adds to The Historic Dockyard’s impressive list of galleries and attractions already open to the public.
Mark Wood, MLA Chair said: "We are delighted to be able to mark the opening of this fantastic exhibition space, where the public will enjoy not only the inspiring architecture in its own right, but also intriguing collections on display in this evocative historic setting."
3 Slip is a real‘Architectural Gem’. When built in 1838 it was Europe’s largest wide span timber structure. Today, its dramatic and awe-inspiring wooden roof structure makes it one of Britain’s most impressive historic buildings - now it is set to become one of the World’s most dramatic museum open stores.
Constructed to the design of Sir Robert Seppings, Surveyor to the Navy Board, the Slip’s cantilevered frame is a remarkable tribute to the skills of the Royal Engineers and dockyard workers who erected it. The semi-circular “apsidal” end was shaped to match that of a ship’s bow. In 1904 a large mezzanine floor was inserted and the Slip became a store for ships’ boats. The mezzanine now makes a superb platform from which to view the amazing roof - new stairs and a lift make it fully accessible to all visitors.
Jeremy Kimmel, spokesperson for the Royal Engineers Museum said; “This fantastic partnership between the local hub museum and Kent’s Designated Museum has proven extremely successful. It’s allowed us to greatly increase the public’s access to our collection. Now, because of 3 Slip – The BIG Store and vehicle movements within the RE Museum grounds, 100% of our large vehicle collection is now on display. It’s the people’s heritage and now it’s all there for them to see”.
Bill Ferris, Chief Executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said; “Number 3 Covered Slip is a truly iconic building. In today’s society where things seem to need to be ‘shiny and new’ to be seen as important, today’s opening to the public of one of the country’s truly great architectural treasures is a landmark for Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and one that should focus attention on truly great heritage.”
This project has been carried out under the aegis of Renaissance South East – the South East Regional Museum Hub and has been funded with the generous support of Renaissance South East – MLA, DCMS Woolfson Museum and Gallery Improvement Fund, European Union Interreg III and Royal Engineers.
For more information visit www.thedockyard.co.uk
