NMB Working On New Book On Dockyard History
The National Museum of Bermuda [NMB] Press is currently working on a new publication, Bermuda Sentinel: The Royal Naval Base 1795–1950, by naval dockyard historian Jonathan Coad.
A spokesperson said, “The book traces the development of the Bermuda Dockyard from its initial establishment as a group of wooden buildings into its fully-realised role as a vital link in the British Empire’s global network of naval bases.
“Bermuda Sentinel focuses on the Bermuda Dockyard’s architectural and civil engineering history and its relationship to the fitting out, victualling, arming and maintenance of warships and associated facilities such as hospitals. In doing so, it reflects major 19th and 20th century developments in armament, shipbuilding and propulsion, and communications. It also shares the remarkable story of the officials in Bermuda and London who were directly involved in the planning, building and successful operation of a massive industrial complex.
“Making extensive use of original documents from the collections of The National Archives [UK], The Royal Museums Greenwich, The Admiralty Library, and NMB, Coad’s book sets the Bermuda Dockyard in the wider context of the other Royal Dockyards in the United Kingdom and overseas, reflecting the 20th century shift in global power from the United Kingdom to the United States.”
NMB Executive Director Elena Strong shared, “The Bermuda Royal Naval Dockyard has had a significant impact on Bermuda’s history, landscape, built and socio-cultural heritage. It was the largest construction project in Bermuda, involving the labour of enslaved and free men, as well as convicts who were transported from Great Britain. At the height of its operation, the Dockyard employed over 5,000 Bermudians, including many apprentices, rigorously educated in the dockyard school and workshops in skilled trades including shipwrights, electrical engineers, engine fitters and boilermakers.
“The Dockyard played a key role in the defence of Britain’s 19th and 20th century global and regional economic and political interests, adding a broader dimension to Bermuda’s significant role in the development of the Atlantic World, which has in turn shaped who we are today. Part of the Museum’s work is to facilitate historical and archaeological research to generate new knowledge and share that knowledge. NMB Press is an arm of the Museum that supports this work, having published over 40 texts related to Bermuda history, archaeology and heritage that are sold locally and internationally. Bermuda Sentinel is an essential addition to the growing corpus of NMB Press books on Bermuda’s history and built heritage.”
The spokesperson said, “The Museum is inviting subscribers to help publish this important text. Subscribers receive recognition in the book, a signed copy of the book, and an invitation to the book launch. To become a subscriber, visit https://nmb.bm/donate/. To learn more about other donation options or supporting at a higher level, contact NMB Advancement Director, Katie Bennett: advancement@nmb.bm or 441-234-1333.
Subscriber levels:
- Bronze: $50-149
- Silver: $150-499
- Gold: $500-999
- Platinum: $1,000
“Bermuda Sentinel will be published later this year and a book launch held in the United Kingdom in early 2025, which is also the 75th anniversary of the closing of Bermuda’s Dockyard.
About the Author:
“Jonathan Coad MA, FSA, FSNR is an award-winning archaeologist, architectural historian and author. He was an Inspector of Ancient Monuments responsible for research and conservation of monuments in East Anglia and Southeast England. He has directed major archaeological excavations and identified and evaluated buildings and engineering works of historic and architectural importance in the Royal Navy’s operational home bases, sharing his scholarly work in numerous publications.”
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