Under the Sea
Location: The Hold
We're known for celebrating activity on the water, but now we're exploring man’s voyage into the deep with a major exhibition called Under the Sea.
Diving deep into a world of shipwrecks, free diving, submarines, sport and commercial diving, physiology, underwater warfare and photography, this new exhibition promises you an experience under the water without getting wet.
One of the major exhibits is a replica of the very first submarine. Made of wood and designed in 1620 by Cornelius Drebbel, this four oared, underwater rowing machine has to be seen to be believed and is the beginning of a journey through time focusing on the advancement of technology in submarines and submersibles.
Did you know that females make better divers than men and that Cornwall has its own champion free diver? Diving underwater without breathing apparatus is not an activity for the faint hearted and carries many dangers. The history of this unusual sport dates back centuries and this hands-on exhibit examines the amazing pearl and sponge divers of Korea and Japan with the growing sport of today.
Diving with breathing apparatus dates back to the 1600s when the first airbag was created. Exploring some of the first and latest inventions, we'll be taking an in-depth look at diving with an early diving bell as used in Falmouth Docks, a hyperbaric chamber and a number of valuable objects showing early diving compared to today’s modern technology. Climb inside the diving bell and see for yourself how time has enabled new advancements in technology and allowed greater deep sea exploration.
It is estimated that there are over 3,000 wrecks off the south Cornish coast. Wrecks are a major feature of this new display. Highlighting a few of the most famous wrecks with rare and unseen artefacts, this exhibit shows the truth behind shipwreck and the challenges of salvage. The exhibition showcases the story and accompanying objects and pictures, from the famous Flying Enterprise saga, which include stunning artefacts retrieved from the wreck. The famous stories of the SS Mohegan, Cita, Anson, Association, Suevic will all be brought to the surface along with a number of other wrecks.
Climate change is at the heart of today’s concerns and the Wave Hub is a groundbreaking renewable energy project in the South West that aims to create the UK's first offshore facility for wave energy generation. Timed to coincide with the launch of Wave Hub activities in 2008 and touching on this new technology, Under the Sea will explore the plans for using the sea’s natural abilities to solve today’s energy crisis.
Finally, an underwater exhibition isn’t complete without recognition of the greatest pioneer of sport diving. Jacques Cousteau, a huge icon in the diving world, is celebrated through film footage and objects for his studies of the sea and the life within it.
The sea is still a relatively unexplored domain. Discover the history, the people, the inventions and riches of the deep with this major exhibition.
