Discover the rich nautical history of Savannah in the Historic William Scarbrough House
Photo by billy_wilson on Flickr (CC license)
Historic Maritime Collection
Since 1997, The Ship's of the Sea has been located in one of Savannah's most historic homes -- The William Scarbrough House on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. With its focus on ships, it's unique among Savannah attractions and landmarks.
The star of Ship's of the Sea Museum is the impressive model ship collection including The City of Savannah, The Anne, The Steamship Savannah, The Wanderer, and The Titanic. All of these ships (except The Titanic) have a direct connection to Savannah and the Georgia coast.
Journey Through Maritime History
A voyage to Ship's of the Sea will put you on course into the past to imagine the awe of sailing on these ships in an era long since past. Each model tells its own unique story of maritime adventure, innovation, and tragedy.
Direct Savannah Connection
245 ft. long iron hull hybrid ship utilizing both sails and steam propulsion. Built in 1877, made runs between Savannah, Boston and New York.
Historical Fate:
Lost in waters off South Carolina during a hurricane in 1893 after 16 years of service.
British Galley ship that brought English settlers who established Savannah and Georgia Colony. Sailed from England to Charleston, then Beaufort.
Historical Fate:
Transported colonists to the banks of the Savannah River via smaller boats from Beaufort.
First vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean with steam engines. Inspected by President James Monroe before her historic voyage.
Historical Fate:
Caught fire and sank off the coast of New York just four years after her historic Atlantic crossing.
One of the fastest ships of her era, originally built as a pleasure cruiser, later retrofitted to carry cargo.
Historical Fate:
Transported hundreds of slaves from Africa to the Georgia Coast in 1859.
The most famous model ship on display. The 'unsinkable' ship that crashed into an iceberg on her maiden voyage.
Historical Fate:
Sank on maiden voyage from England to the United States after hitting an iceberg.
The Ship's of the Sea Museum is housed in one of Savannah's most historic homes, providing an elegant backdrop for the maritime collection. The William Scarbrough House itself represents the grandeur of Savannah's golden age of shipping and commerce.
Before Your Visit
Your trip to this intriguing Savannah museum will be enhanced if you read about the ships in the model collection before visiting. Reading and history go hand-in-hand.
After you experience the model ship's collection, spend time enjoying the outdoor gardens at The William Scarbrough House. They are billed as the largest in the Savannah Historic District and feature camellias, azaleas, magnolias and seasonal perennial plantings.
Garden Experience
Many visitors to the Ships of the Sea Museum love to spend time just sitting in the garden after their inside tour, reflecting on the maritime stories they've discovered.
Historic District, Savannah, Georgia
What to Expect
- Impressive model ship collection
- Historic William Scarbrough House architecture
- Largest gardens in Historic District
- Maritime history exhibits