Discover the 1756 boat at the centre of Chatham dockyard’s £9m display

AMID all the ropemaking at Chatham's Historic Dockyard a fascinating new yarn is unfolding.

It is the incredible history of the 90-gun Namur — one of the Royal Navy's most significantwarships during the Age of Sail. And her story is really miraculous.

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The skeleton timbers of the 260-year-old Namur were discovered by chance buried deep beneath the floor of the wheelwright's shop in 1995.

Since then her timbers have been carefully preserved where she was discovered.

Now a brand new gallery has been built around her and you can descend to the Namur's final resting place.

It is one of four incredible new interactive galleries that form the Command Of The Oceans display at the Kent attraction on the banks of the River Medway.

Command Of The Oceans cost £9million and was partly provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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It tells the story of the Dockyard from the 16th century to the golden Age of Sail. That spans a good 300 years, from the days of famous sea captain Sir Francis Drake — who learned his skills at Chatham — to the 1800s, when the Dockyard's shipwrights designed and built vessels that transformed our Navy into the most powerful sea force in the world.

I have been here before, and had a memorable time learning about ropemaking and exploring the huge ships.

And it was a relief to discover that the new additions have not diluted the unique atmosphere of the place — the air is still heavy with the importance of our seafaring heritage.

Command Of The Oceans also includes objects from the Invincible, a French warship that was captured by the British in 1747, taken into the Royal Navy and sunk by accident in Portsmouth in 1758.

It was discovered in 1979 and Chatham is now home to an incredible collection of its equipment alongside personal belongings of crew members.

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Kent is rightly proud of its Dockyard and generation after generation of county folk have worked there over the years.

My favourite part was the new People, Tool & Trades display, which features stories of the 2,500-strong workforce employed at Chatham during the Age of Sail — from how much they earned to the part they played in helping us rule the waves.

You can learn all about their various trades and practices and even have a go at some of them in the 18th century dockyard.

You can also search hundreds of names to see if any of your ancestors once worked there.

Outside, on the banks of the Medway, visitors can explore some of the ships that shaped the world.

These include a Victorian anti-slavery sailing vessel, a Second World War Destroyer and a Cold War submarine — it's paradise with a capital "P" for children of all ages.

With a brand new restaurant, play park and shop, the Historic Dockyard really is treasure from the bottom of the sea — and a day out that all family members are sure to enjoy.

You'll leave having learned a thing or two without realising it, but most of all after having a boatilicious time.

GO: CHATHAM

TICKETS to the Historic Dockyard at Chatham are valid for a year and prices start at £14. For more information see .