‘Architectural Gem’ houses hidden naval and military collections

‘3 Slip – The BIG Store’ at ERIH Achor Point The Historic Dockyard Chatham was officially opened today by Roy Clare and Mark Wood of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

This imposing building, No 3 Covered Slip, is best known for its dramatic and awe inspiring wooden roof structure. It has been transformed into a joint museum store for "really large objects" from the collections of both The Historic Dockyard and the Royal Engineers Museum Gillingham. Intriguing dockyard and military artefacts on display include large steam hammers and marine engines, a Second World War midget submarine, the Victorian railway carriage used by General Kitchener in Sudan and ‘Overlord’, a railway locomotive used in the D Day landings. 3 Slip – The BIG Store adds to The Historic Dockyard’s impressive list of galleries and attractions already open to the public.

Mark Wood, MLA Chair said: "We are delighted to be able to mark the opening of this fantastic exhibition space, where the public will enjoy not only the inspiring architecture in its own right, but also intriguing collections on display in this evocative historic setting."

3 Slip is a real ‘Architectural Gem’. When built in 1838 it was Europe’s largest wide span timber structure. Today, its dramatic and awe-inspiring wooden roof structure makes it one of Britain’s most impressive historic buildings - now it is set to become one of the World’s most dramatic museum open stores.