This captivating new exhibition celebrates the final days of the windjammers - commercial square-rigged sailing ships - and commemorates the 60th anniversary of their last voyage around Cape Horn.

In the early 20th century only a few trade routes remained viable for the world’s big sailing vessels. The grain trade from Australia to Europe was one and the voyages received much media coverage at the time. In Britain, people gambled on which ship would make the fastest trip of the year, coining the expression “Grain Races”.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the final “Grain Race”, the exhibition is being shown here and in eleven other Museums globally during 2009. There will be a fantastic range of original objects from the ships, stunning photographs and a blow by blow account of that final voyage.

And in addition to this, the exhibition will feature the amazing photographs of Geoffrey Robertshaw, who recorded life on board the windjammers during the journeys of over 12,000 nautical miles, between Australia and Falmouth. His personal logbooks, photographs and personal possessions have kindly been lent to the Museum by Elvin Carter from Devoran.

Milly Newman, Exhibitions Development Manager, says: “To be a part of this exhibition, which is being shown in Museums across the globe, is very special. The romantic image of square-rigged sailing ships is as captivating today as it was 60 years ago and this exhibition brings to life the story of life on board the windjammers.”

Farewell to Sails opens on 1 September and runs until the 26 November.

And on Monday 7 September Elvin Carter will be giving an illustrated lecture at the Maritime Museum about Geoffrey Robertshaw’s remarkable life aboard the windjammers.