Ulster Museum Maritime and Oil Exhibition

Reference code: HOYFM.ACL2024.50
Level of description: Fonds
Title: Ulster Museum Maritime and Oil Exhibition
Scope and content: In 1975, Michael McCaughan of Ulster Museums opened a new maritime exhibition on the grounds of Cultra, and later a temporary exhibition on oil in 1978. This archive shows his correspondence with various companies and other entities to gain material, expand collections, and retrieve information for these two exhibitions. Contents: a plan of Belfast Harbour for 1976; correspondence to Michael McCaughan concerning additions to the Maritime archives (1978); a synopsis of trade in the Port of Belfast (the 1970s); old photographs of Belfast Harbour (1920s); correspondence between Michael McCaughan of Ulster Museum and Belfast Harbour Commissioners concerning the opening of a new exhibition (1975); Christmas cards from the Port of Belfast; a Northern Ireland bank holidays card (1979); Belfast Harbour Office description of building and catalogue of pictures, furniture, etc.; lists of the Ulster Museum shipping collection (1975); photocopied pilotage license (1890s); correspondence from Ulster Museums to John Harkness & Co. (1971); photocopied maps of Belfast Harbour; provisional fleet listings for Donegal Harbour in 1971; photographs of a workshop [?]; The Corry Group Blank Calendar (1992); a logbook for the S.S. Downshire (1990); “The Companies Act, 1862, three memorandums of association for East Downshire Steamship Company Ltd.; photocopies of vessels for East Downshire Steamship Company Ltd.; museum listings 1975; a photocopied typescript on East Downshire Steamship Company Ltd. photographs of the S.S. Downshire; a large newspaper advertisement for the company in the Mourne Observer (1977); correspondence to Michael McCaughan (1980s); Public Record Office of Northern Ireland correspondence with Michael McCaughan concerning steamship company associations (1975); provisional fleet of Robert Neill & Sons; correspondence with the company to McCaughan; various letters from McCaughan explaining the opening of a maritime exhibition to shipping companies with no replies (1975); correspondence to McCaughan with Shaw Savill Line Ltd. concerning photographs (1975); photocopied handwritten notes on vessel histories; correspondence to Bibby Bros. Co. concerning models and photographs of vessels (1975); a catalogue of their items; correspondence with the Commissioners of Irish Lights concerning sundials (1977); a handwritten list of lighthouse equipment for the museum; a Cara magazine; Irish shipping fleet list photocopies by Don Patterson (1970s); a discussion report on the Museum of the Maritime Institute of Ireland (1982); books on the history of oil (1970s); proposed Temporary Exhibition ‘Liquid Energy, oil fuels, propulsion & transport (1978); a transcript for a film ‘The North Sea Quest;’ BP Educational Service books; photographs of B.P. oil rigs in the North Sea (1966); photographs of ‘sea quest’ oil rig trials (1966); a presentation document of BP Oil Ltd.’s Sea Quest Model to Ulster Museums (1978); a typescript list of captions for items at the exhibition (1978); annotated distribution list for Head Line Centenary Exhibition Poster; correspondence with British Airways regarding lending items for the exhibition; correspondence with B.P. Oil Ltd. (1978); press release information; newspaper fragments on the exhibitions (1978); handwritten captions; a photocopy of Harland & Wolff’s completion document for ‘Sea Quest’; a list of the board of trustees for Ulster Folk and Transport Museum; annotated plans for the oil rig; documents pertaining to the presentation and preview of the exhibition in 1977; a draft of a press release; photocopies of various photographs of the oil rig; John Kelly Ltd., history booklet; John Kelly Ltd. ‘News and Views’ magazine from 1978–82; lists of vessels owned; handwritten notepad lists; correspondence to McCaughan from the company; a photograph of the Ballylagan; photocopies of notes on their history; typescript of ship models; particulars of ships owned from 1890–1960 (1960); ‘A Collier Fleet at War’; two old photographs of crew on board on the Vulture vessel; correspondence with National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside concerning models, renewal forms, participation in forums (1980s–90s); correspondence with Merseyside City Council (1985); a Merseyside Maritime Museum leaflet; a letter from the International Congress of Maritime Museums; an Albert Dock Times issue; miscellaneous newspapers; correspondence from Merseyside County Council; a postcard from an American woman to McCaughan; a proposed maritime museum development plan from Merseyside City Council (1978)