Historical Stories

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Discover the untold narratives of remarkable women who shaped maritime history through this collection of historical profiles. From the Dreadnought Nurses to pioneering captains like Belinda Bennett, these stories highlight female trailblazers who navigated traditionally male-dominated waters.

The collection, contributed by individuals and UK institutions, aims to address the historical gender gap in maritime heritage by showcasing women who served as radio officers, underwater archaeologists, maritime lawyers, and safety champions. Each profile represents a vital step toward more equitable representation in our shared maritime past.

View the historical stories

Historical black and white photograph of nurses wearing distinctive white caps with dark capes featuring X-shaped crosses, standing in two rows.

Who were the Dreadnought Nurses?

The career of the Dreadnought Nurses as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

A technician wearing yellow ear protection and white coveralls checking equipment in an industrial mechanical room with pipes and gauges.

Marion Pettigrew: Scotland's maritime pioneer

The career of Marion Pettigrew as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Testimonial from the Sailors’ Institute in Hamburg, 1876.

Eliza Plimsoll: Advocate for safer seas

The career of Eliza Plimsoll as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Rose King: Life as a Radio Officer

The career of Rose King as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Old photograph of person in white turtleneck sweater smiling while holding a Qantas passenger ticket from the 1960s era.

Linda Craig Forbes and Scotland's maritime past

The career of Linda Craig Forbes as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Historical pencil sketch of a sailor or maritime worker operating machinery on a ship, with water and distant vessels visible in the background.

Isabella ‘Bella’ Keyzer and Scotland's shipbuilding legacy

The career of Isabella Keyzer as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

A maritime pilot in uniform standing next to an orange pilot boat with "PILOTS" marked on the side.

Davinia Monclus: Becoming a female pilot

The career of Davinia Monclus as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

This black and white photograph shows a scuba diver swimming near the ocean floor, equipped with diving gear including fins and an underwater light source. Bubbles rise from the diver's equipment as they explore the murky underwater environment.

Honor Frost: Pioneer of underwater archaeology

The career of Honor Frost as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Naval battle painting showing Danish warships with red and white flags engaged in combat, smoke billowing across a stormy sea.

Who was Mary Buick? Her legacy explained

The career of Mary Buick as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

This is a historical black and white photograph showing a large group of women workers from the Gourock Rope Works. Most are wearing cloche hats and period clothing, arranged in rows for a formal group portrait. A small sign in the front identifies the workplace.

Celebrating female ropemakers in maritime history

The careers of female ropemakers as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Worker in bright orange safety gear with hard hat and protective glasses at industrial site.

Kerry Costello: Champion of maritime safety

The career of Kerry Costello as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Dramatic seascape painting showing a small boat battling through stormy waves under dark clouds.

Breaking the glass ceiling: Women in maritime SAR

The career of Grace Darling as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Anne Smith wearing a stewardess uniform on board an unidentified ship, circa 1922–1933.

Anne Smith: A story of travel and maritime heritage

The career of Anne Smith as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Air bubbles rising through deep blue underwater scene with sunlight filtering from above.

Addressing the female gender gap in maritime memorials

An article on the lack of female representation in memorial/statue landscape as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

A formal meeting with three officials seated at a wooden panel, with "PRESIDENT" nameplate and ceremonial bell visible.

Dr Rosalie Balkin: Maritime law pioneer

The career of Dr Rosalie Balkin as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

A historical shipping registry or ledger page showing vessel names, captains, and destinations with columns of maritime data.

Charting her own course: The trailblazing life of Betsy Miller

The career of Betsy Miller as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Aerial view of ocean waves meeting a sandy beach, with turquoise water crashing in white foam.

Making Waves: Stories of women at sea

Meet the women featured in the RMG Making Waves campaign as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Windstar mini cruise ship at Nafplio harbour.

Captain Belinda Bennett: Breaking barriers at sea

The career of Captain Belinda Bennett as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Vintage fishing boat with "GN 338" marking sailing in a harbor, with city skyline in background.

Sylvia Sharples: Pioneering maritime change

The career of Sylvia Sharples as part of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.

Explore the Programme

Jessica in uniform standing in front of small stone pilot station with bright safety vest in hand.

Women of SHE_SEES

Explore stories of twenty-seven women working in the UK and Ireland’s maritime sector today, gathered for the Rewriting Women into Maritime History programme.

Gallery hallway with dark blue wall featuring numerous historical photographs in gold and wooden frames.

SHE_SEES

SHE_SEES, an exhibition to mark the end of the first year of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History initiative.