Supporting the understanding and appreciation of our maritime heritage for 40 years

Aims
The society was founded in 1984 by a group of enthusiastic maritime historians and academics from Exeter and Plymouth Universities. Its aims are to encourage interest in all aspects of our maritime heritage and to promote research in these fields, leading where possible to the publication of the results of such studies.

Benefits of membership
Members benefit from opportunities to further their interests in maritime history, through our website, newsletter, journal, meetings and visits to historical vessels and sites of interest in the South West.

Visits to historic vessels and sites
When opportunity permits members will get an opportunity to visit and sail on historic vessels. We also arrange visits to sites of historical maritime interest in the South West: museums, galleries and nautical colleges to shipyards, naval establishments, harbours and ports. 

Campaigns
From time to time the society campaigns on issues relevant to the heritage of the South West. This has included planning issues, such as the Appledore drydock and protecting historical images on Delft tiles at a council building. We also raised a petition on the government website seeking help for vessels such as the Kathleen and May, and protested at the quite unnecessary requirement that Shieldhall should use the most expensive high-grade diesel fuel.

Meetings
We hold meetings and history days at different venues throughout the region, enabling our members and friends to visit many places of maritime interest, and listen to presentations from local and national experts. Talks and seminars cover a wide range of topics, dealing with the whole maritime spectrum, and members enjoy regular opportunities to meet and exchange views on their current work and interests with like-minded friends. 

Publications
We publish an informative digital magazine:  ‘South West Soundings’, four times a year which contains articles of up to 3,000 words, snippets of maritime interest, book reviews and information about events and activities of maritime interest. It is free to our members. We also publish an annual journal, ‘Maritime South West’, which contains a range of articles of historical and current interest and is also free to members. Articles of 3-10,000 words further interest in and the development of maritime history, and can be historical or current in nature. In addition from time to time, we publish Maritime Monographs available to the public on our website.  

Website
The website is also designed to promote interest in maritime history, and access to it in the South West, with series of articles, for instance, on South West ports, museums, and working boats designed by South West communities. It also allows members to download ‘Soundings’ and ‘Maritime South West’. 

Website: www.swmaritime.org
Enquiries to: chair@swmaritime.org