The building was originally designed by architect Christopher G. Wray and opened in 1871 as the Hull Dock Company offices.
The collection features a notable assemblage of over 500 pieces of scrimshaw, carved from whale teeth and bone.
The museum holds a significant archive of documents detailing the 'Triple Trawler Tragedy' of 1968, which prompted major safety changes in the UK fishing industry.
The museum structure features prominent neo-classical architecture, including a distinctive clock tower visible across Queen Victoria Square.
Some of the displayed ship models were crafted by prisoners of war during the Napoleonic era using bone and wood scraps.
The Hull Maritime Museum is housed within the Victorian Dock Offices, a Grade II* listed building located in Queen Victoria Square. The museum collection focuses on Hull's seafaring heritage, specifically its deep-sea whaling and international fishing industries. Key exhibits include extensive displays of scrimshaw, whale skeletons, and intricate ship models representing centuries of maritime activity. The site chronicles the city's rise to prominence as a major fishing port in the North Sea. As of August 2026, the museum is closed for a comprehensive refurbishment and transformation project titled Hull Maritime. This renovation intends to update the facility's preservation standards and modernize exhibition layouts for future visitors.
The exterior facade of the Victorian Dock Offices from the center of Queen Victoria Square, capturing the clock tower.
Monitor the official Hull Maritime website for reopening date announcements, as major capital works often shift timelines.
Explore the surrounding Queen Victoria Square to view the Wilberforce Monument and other historic maritime architecture.
Check local heritage listings, as related maritime artifacts are sometimes temporarily relocated to the Ferens Art Gallery during the closure.
Do not mistake the nearby Ferens Art Gallery for the Maritime Museum, as they are separate institutions despite being in the same general area.
Currently closed for major renovations; check official channels for the status of the grand reopening.
