The importance of Porthmadog’s maritime history can be discovered at the town’s Maritime Museum which has re-opened for the season.

The museum, situated in the last remaining slate shed on the harbour, has a large collection of artefacts depicting the seafaring activities of the area, the development of the port, the shipbuilding, the ships and the lives of the seafarers.

There is also a special area with activities for children.

Robert Cadwalader, secretary of the museum, has unearthed some amazing historical images, highlighting the town’s relationship to the sea.

“My father and grandfather were boatmen and fishermen at Criccieth so I have an interest in the beaches,” he explained.

Commenting on some of the photographs, Robert said: “The 1914 one shows four of the deckchair and bathing tent folk on the Marine beach.

“One shows Owen Pritchard installing a new engine in his father’s boat, watched by a crowd of his friends and boatmen offering advice!

“Another shows Captain Tom Lewis and the crew of Criccieth lifeboat soon after the station reopened in 1953.”

The Maritime Museum is open every day from 12pm-4pm until autumn half-term.

See this week’s north editions for more pictures, in shops and online on Thursday