Showcasing Kochi’s maritime history and the evolution of the port, the Cochin Port Trust has opened a new heritage museum in association with Bristow Memorial Society, Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Sea Marines Association.

Timely opening Set up at Willingdon Island, the inauguration of Kochi Maritime Heritage Museum assumes significance at a time when the Port Trust is celebrating 86 years to commemorate the entry of the first ship S.S.Padma at the inner harbour.

The ship entered the harbour through the widened and deepened Cochin Gut on May 26, 1928.

Historic moment It was the British harbour engineer Sir Robert Bristow’s efforts in constructing the inner harbour in 1921 that transformed Kochi into one of the most modern and safest ports in the entire southern peninsula.

Paul Antony, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, opened the museum to the public on Monday. It houses a collection of photos depicting various stages of construction and developments during the Bristow period.

The museum has a rich display of navigational instruments like clocks and anchors used in the early decades of 20th century. Describing the museum as a tribute to Sir Bristow, the port Secretary C Unnikrishnan said that the museum has around 70 photographs throwing light on the construction of the inner harbour to make the entry of the first vessel. A rare picture shows Sir Bristow standing beside the first train that arrived at the Island station.

The exhibits also include a photograph of Lady Willingdon, the dredger which played a crucial role in the building of the port, pictures of Venduruthy rail and road bridge, etc.

KVA Iyer, a senior trade union leader in the port recalled that it was the long felt need of the trade that led to the construction of the inner harbour on account of the growth in cargo volume that had touched a million tonnes. This had necessitated the expansion of the port inwards.

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