Publications
IMT Occasional Papers
Quays and Wharves of Ipswich
Back in 2011, this Paper set out to inspire the people responsible for the Wet Dock to revive the traditional names that used to be part of daily life on the Waterfront. It was all about making sure our maritime history stayed visible and celebrated. The restored quay names you can spot around the Wet Dock now show just how successful that effort has been.
A Brief Tour of Ipswich Wet Dock in Photographs
This paper is designed to be used by those wishing to relate today’s Waterfront scene to how it appeared in past centuries.
The Ipswich Maritime Trust Image Archive
This Paper was originally created to introduce everyone to our brand new online Image Archive and to encourage people to explore it as a shared community resource. We also hoped it would inspire anyone with extra knowledge to help us grow the collection. This updated version still does exactly that — and it also highlights how Ipswich Maritime Trust members and supporters can get involved in shaping the Archive’s future.
Ropemaking in Ipswich
Rope has always been essential — on land, at sea, and pretty much everywhere in between. People have been making cordage in all sorts of forms for thousands of years, and it’s fair to say it’s one of the quiet building blocks of civilisation. For centuries, Ipswich ropemakers played a huge part in keeping ships, farms, and local industries going. Many of them also worked as sailmakers or sackmakers, often juggling more than one trade at a time.
This Paper explores the story of ropemaking in Ipswich, from the earliest signs of the craft right through to its decline at the end of the 19th century. In December 2020, Des Pawson MBE gave a virtual talk based on this research, which you can still watch on Vimeo.
Memories of Maritime Ipswich
This piece is adapted from an article Barry Girling originally wrote for a local group, sharing his memories of maritime life in the 1960s. It’s now brought to life with vibrant colour photos taken at the time by a young Stuart Grimwade, who captured these moments while working for the Ipswich Borough Council Planning Department before heading off to University.