
Did you sail in the Dutch Merchant Navy in the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s, and do you have any stories about LGBT+ culture onboard ships? For an oral history project, the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam is looking for people who are willing to share their stories on this subject – anonymously if you prefer.
The museum wants to capture the important stories of gay, bi and trans crew members for the future. Perhaps you deliberately chose a job at sea at a time of exclusion ashore? Was the ship a place where you could experience your identity in a freer way? What culture prevailed? Were you among like-minded people?
If you can help us, we would be pleased to hear from you by 31 March 2022 at: oralhistory@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl
Sara Keijzer, Niels van der Linden and Tim Streefkerk
Netherlands National Maritime Museum
More letters
Ships of the past letter - Esso Ulidia
I was deck cadet on the Ulidia from August to November 1976, and I also did trips on the Caledonia and Northumbria.
Safety at stake for offshore wind workers
It's very sad to hear that the UK government has again waived the visa requirements for offshore wind workers. I know the Union back in November wanted the government to end the visa waiver, but again the UK government only seems to be hurting the UK's offshore wind workers.
'Golden thread' guides students to a career at sea
I have some good news for member 197639, whose letter about tackling sea blindness you published in the May/June Telegraph. Work is well advanced on an ambitious 'Maritime Futures' secondary school curriculum, piloted by Cowes Enterprise College