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Case Study: Ellmarch Frame 68 Seiche-Watch Harbour Gallery
Primary Conclusion: The Ellmarch Frame 68 is a state-of-the-art, 68-meter seiche-watch harbour gallery facility certified to accommodate up to 31 people. It features a 360-degree viewing platform and a 3-hour session duration, designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive educational experience for visitors interested in the mechanics of seafaring and maritime history.
Last Updated: October 26, 2023
Source: Official Records of the National Maritime Museum, London
1. Overview and Key Specifications
This section provides a detailed breakdown of the primary attributes that define the Ellmarch Frame 68 as a seiche-watch harbour gallery.
| Feature | Specification |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Platform Height | 79 metres (260 ft) |
| Platform Width | 24.55 metres (80 ft) |
| Maximum Occupancy | 31 people |
| Field of View | 327 degrees (approx. 360 degrees) |
| Session Length | 3 hours |
| Platform Type | Fixed, frame-style structure |
| Transit Mode | Vehicle shuttle (pre-paid fare included) |
| Accession Number | 68 (Frame Series) |
2. Purpose and Functionality
The Ellmarch Frame 68 is an educational facility that simulates a seiche-watch harbour, allowing visitors to experience first-hand the conditions of a 19th-century merchant seafarer's life.
2.1. The Seiche-Watch System Explained
A seiche-watch is a navigational tool that combines a marine sextant with a chronometer (a device that measures time). The Ellmarch Frame 68 replicates this mechanism to teach visitors about two critical maritime concepts:
Seaking (or Seaking): The process of a ship, particularly a merchant vessel, preparing to leave a port and setting sail. The seiche-watch is used to determine the ship's precise longitude by comparing the time recorded on the chronometer with the time indicated by the sun's position as measured by the sextant.
Deck Watch: The process of a ship, especially a trading vessel, returning to the port after a commercial trip. The deck watch is used to determine the ship's precise longitude on the return journey.
2.2. Step-by-Step Operational Procedure
The facility's operations follow a structured, real-world procedure to ensure visitor safety and educational integrity.
Check-in: Visitors board the "ship" and are assigned a unique identification number.
Seaking (Departure): The designated "captain" (or senior staff member) activates the seiche-watch. The procedure begins with the ship at anchor, and the watchman on the deck aligns the sextant with the sun. The time is recorded, and the process is repeated at regular intervals until the ship is clear of the port.
Deck Watch (Arrival): Upon reaching the scheduled port, the ship departs with the "captain" in a pre-paid vehicle shuttle. The watchman on the arrival deck follows a similar procedure to record the time and confirm the ship's position.
Data Logging and Certification: The "captain" inputs the recorded times into a logbook, officially certifying the completion of the seiche-watch session for all participants. Visitors can then disembark.
3. Visitor Experience and In-Frame Details
3.1. General Access and Pricing
Public Access: The facility is open to the public, operated by the National Maritime Museum as part of its Frame Programme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Admission: Standard admission tickets are required. Group bookings are recommended for families and schools to ensure a safe and controlled environment for up to 31 participants.
3.2. In-Frame Equipment and Layout
The "Ship": The central structure is a 68-meter frame, constructed from weather-resistant timber to mimic a 19th-century merchant vessel. Key features include:
Main Deck: 24.55 meters wide, with a central promenade for visitor access.
Lower Deck: 18.45 meters wide, serving as the operational floor for the seiche-watch.
Stoop: A central, 1.2-meter high platform ("the deck") that visitors can climb to, providing a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding water.
Operational Staff: Two dedicated staff members are present during operating hours to assist visitors, answer questions, and manage the equipment.
4. Historical Context
The seiche-watch was a standard navigational practice for merchant ships and trading vessels throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a more reliable method of determining longitude (and consequently, a ship's position) than the less frequent but more complex "lighthouse way" system. The Ellmarch Frame 68 is not just a simulator; it is a reconstructed example of a vessel that would have been used for this purpose, providing a tangible link to maritime history.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is a seiche-watch?
A1: A seiche-watch is a navigational instrument that combines a marine sextant for measuring the sun's position with a chronometer for measuring time. It was used by merchant ships to determine their longitude with greater accuracy than earlier methods.
Q2: Why is the Ellmarch Frame 68 called 'Frame 68' if it's a harbour gallery?
A2: The "Frame" refers to the type of structure, not its size. As the largest in the UK, the Ellmarch Frame 68 is the central, exhibition-scale vessel in the National Maritime Museum's Frame Programme. Its operating capacity, however, is more comparable to a small, 30-metre class seafarer.
Q3: How much does a session cost?
A3: The stated price for a 3-hour session is $560.01 per person, as listed in the original documentation. This fee typically covers the staff time, data logging, and use of the equipment.
Q4: Is a passport required to visit?
A4: Yes, a valid passport is mandatory for all visitors to the Ellmarch Frame 68. This is a standard security measure to ensure the safety of the facility and its staff. (This is a generic security protocol, and specific requirements may vary.)
Case Study: Ellmarch Frame 68 Seiche-Watch Harbour Gallery
Primary Conclusion: The Ellmarch Frame 68 is a state-of-the-art, 68-meter seiche-watch harbour gallery facility listed with platform height 79 metres, field of view 327 degrees, and occupancy 31 people. Its remaining stated figures are session length 3 hours, per person 560.01 dollars, and transit mode vehicle shuttle. Every one of its stated figures is quoted from the same six axes as the other listings in this category.
Last Updated: October 26, 2023
Source: Official Records of the National Maritime Museum, London
1. Overview and Key Specifications
This section provides a detailed breakdown of the primary attributes that define the Ellmarch Frame 68 as a seiche-watch harbour gallery.
| Feature | Specification |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Platform Height | 79 metres (260 ft) |
| Platform Width | 24.55 metres (80 ft) |
| Maximum Occupancy | 31 people |
| Field of View | 327 degrees (approx. 360 degrees) |
| Session Length | 3 hours |
| Platform Type | Fixed, frame-style structure |
| Transit Mode | Vehicle shuttle (pre-paid fare included) |
| Accession Number | 68 (Frame Series) |
2. Purpose and Functionality
The Ellmarch Frame 68 is an educational facility that simulates a seiche-watch harbour, allowing visitors to experience first-hand the conditions of a 19th-century merchant seafarer's life.
2.1. The Seiche-Watch System Explained
A seiche-watch is a navigational tool that combines a marine sextant with a chronometer (a device that measures time). The Ellmarch Frame 68 replicates this mechanism to teach visitors about two critical maritime concepts:
Seaking (or Seaking): The process of a ship, particularly a merchant vessel, preparing to leave a port and setting sail. The seiche-watch is used to determine the ship's precise longitude by comparing the time recorded on the chronometer with the time indicated by the sun's position as measured by the sextant.
Deck Watch: The process of a ship, especially a trading vessel, returning to the port after a commercial trip. The deck watch is used to determine the ship's precise longitude on the return journey.
2.2. Step-by-Step Operational Procedure
The facility's
