Maritime Museum’s ‘Giant Anchor’ finds a new temporary home

The HMS Conway Anchor, the well-loved landmark on Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock has been relocated to a temporary home as part of an ongoing redevelopment project.

The approximately five-tonne HMS Conway anchor, a significant part of the Maritime Museum’s collection, was lifted from its familiar position on the quaysides in front of the museum, opposite Canning Dock.

It has now been transferred to a new location near the north steps of the Museum of Liverpool at Mann Island.

HMS Conway, a two-decker vessel, lent by the Royal Navy to the Mercantile Marine Service Association, was moored on the Mersey from 1876, as a school ship and the site for thousands of cadets to be trained.

The ship was anchored on the Mersey for many years before being moved to North Wales during the Second World War.

Following the loss of the ship (wrecked in the Menai Strait) in 1953, the Admiralty pattern anchor was recovered and kept by the parade ground at the ‘Stone Frigate’ in Plas Newydd, Anglesey.

The HMS Conway Anchor, along with other relics, were later donated to the museum in 1980 by the Conway Club – a group made up of former cadets.

In the almost 40 years the anchor has been on display outside Maritime Museum it has become a popular meeting place and photo backdrop for the millions of visitors who visit the historic waterfront location.

The temporary move of the anchor will enable access for the redevelopment of both Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum.

Both museums closed to the public on 5 January 2025 for essential repairs and maintenance works ahead of a major redevelopment project, subject to funding. Find out more here.

Get the latest new around Liverpool City Region here.