Endurance and Survival ... at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

People make incredible voyages at sea. Some are planned, others are matters of survival.

Launched with great pomp by the Hon. Alexandra Shackleton, Endurance and Survival, the latest exhibition at the Maritime Museum, brings together a unique collection of objects and boats, revealing stories that have been truly shoc king and amazing - inspiring even the most hardened land-lubber.

From a distance, the nine-foot white plastic dinghy looks ordinary. But could you have survived 38 days adrift in this tiny dingy with a bag of onions, five other family members and not enough room to stand up? This is the story of the Robertson family who, in 1971, watched their luxury yacht sink in minutes after an attack by killer whales..

Perhaps the most well-known survival story of all time is that of Ernest Shackleton. Battling through waves higher than the highest roof of the Museum (24m), the James Caird (pictured left) stands proud in the gallery (and rightly so) as the centerpiece of the exhibition. Supported by the chronometer used to navigate the incredible journey to South Georgia , and Hussey's morale-inspiring banjo, this amazing story of such bravery is beautifully illustrated with Hurley's photographs.

The question most certainly on every visitor's lips is 'could I have survived.?' Then there is the celebration of sporting endurance. Through a number of themed exhibits, visitors can learn about the planning, the equipment, the pain and the vital requirements for endurance at sea.

'Derek Hutchinson'

Endurance is best represented by John Fairfax's Atlantic rowing boat Britannia. On 19 th July 1969 John Fairfax became the first person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean in this boat. It took him 180 days to row the 5342 miles. More than 2200 people have reached the summit of Everest, 450 people have been into space but less than 300 people have rowed the Atlantic Ocean alone.

One can but marvel at Wanderer , the wayfarer dinghy belonging to Frank and Margaret Dye which journeyed over 40,000 nautical miles across vast dangerous seas, capsizing in force nine gales. This little boat should have been enjoying the occasional day out inshore - beach hopping! Frank and Margaret Dye have been joining us regularly throughout the summer and it is often impossible to prevent them spending the night in the museum, asleep in their very own Wanderer.

Of course, any story of endurance must surely include Ellen MacArthur's world record breaking solo record.such tales of human strength and ingenuity inspire people and help reveal an insight into the minds of people who are prepared to push themselves to the limit and beyond.

The exhibition continues until January 2007. Falmouth is no stranger to salty sea yarns and we have the perfect stage for this engaging exhibition. No trip to the UK should be complete without a visit

'Pete Bray Atlantic Challenge' (c) Jim Rowlinson

Photo credits: Copyright NMMC except where shown