Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

Set Sail With These 15 Scenes of Sensational Ships

These seafaring shots are harbored in the archives of the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Photographs selected by Donny Bajohr

Loaded with colorful containers, a cargo ship floats right into the Port of Miami.
Loaded with colorful containers, a cargo ship floats right into the Port of Miami. Benjamin Harris, Florida, 2022

You don’t have to love water or travel to appreciate ships. Like buildings that float, ships serve as homes, entertainment venues, vacation destinations, transport vehicles and more.

Among the world’s earliest forms of transportation, they remain critical to our society, despite the introduction of airplanes, cars and trains. For thousands of years, they’ve traveled the oceans and waterways—sometimes more successfully than others—helping to expand our world. Take a look.

A diver hovers over a PLM-27, a World War II ship
A diver hovers over the PLM-27, a World War II ship that was torpedoed just off Bell Island, Newfoundland, by the German U-Boat U-518. Christopher Power, Canada, 2019
A cargo ship moves slowly on rippling, peaceful waters reflecting different shades of blue.
A cargo ship moves slowly on rippling, peaceful waters reflecting different shades of blue. Yuepeng Bao, China, 2022
Flagship Niagara comes to port at Navy Pier during Tall Ship Chicago.
Flagship Niagara comes to port at Navy Pier during Tall Ship Chicago. Cardell Phillips, Illinois, 2010
Cargo ships are neatly arranged at a port by the Yangtze River, waiting for cargo.
Cargo ships are neatly arranged at a port by the Yangtze River, waiting for cargo.
  Xu Zhang, China, 2024
a storm is over a ship at sea
A cloud rains on the proverbial parade, or is that a Carnival? James Semonik, Belize, 2008
Adventurous teenagers explore a rusty ship near cliffs.
Adventurous teenagers explore a rusty ship near cliffs. Cassie Corrigan, St. Lucia, 2010
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds may be spooked by the avian activity near these ships.
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds may be spooked by the avian activity near these ships. Csaba Jekkel, Croatia, 2010
One passenger tries the waterslide, while others opt for beach chairs on a cruise.
One passenger tries the waterslide, while others opt for beach chairs on a cruise. Francisco Salgueiro, Portugal, 2023
an aerial view of ships anchored at sea
A drone captures an aerial shot of the Bay of Bengal, where thousands of ships are anchored near the shore. MD Shamim ul Islam, Bangladesh, 2024
a shipwreck in Antarctica
According to legend, this ship had just filled its storage completely after two years at sea. To celebrate, the crew decided to have a party, during which a lantern was knocked over. To save the crew from the subsequent fire, the captain ran the ship aground. Everyone survived. They later returned home safely, but without the two years’ worth of bounty. John Comisky, Antarctica, 2020
A sea gull hitches a ride on the Volendam cruise ship at Glacier Bay.
A sea gull hitches a ride on the Volendam cruise ship at Glacier Bay. David Jurgensen, Alaska, 2010
A ship’s blue hull contrasts beautifully with the deep-blue water.
A ship’s blue hull contrasts beautifully with the deep-blue water. In the distance, a majestic red bridge stretches across the horizon, adding a touch of human-made grandeur to the natural beauty of the scene. Zaw Win Tun, Japan, 2024
Colorfully clad mannequins are seemingly uninterested in the view of the harbor in Santorini.
Colorfully clad mannequins are seemingly uninterested in the view of the harbor in Santorini. Allen Myers, Greece, 2009
Dolphins play in the wake of a much larger ship in Tampa.
Dolphins play in the wake of a much larger ship in Tampa. Fadi Sheikh-Khalil Garcia, Florida, 2009

Donny Bajohr is the associate photography editor at Smithsonian. You can follow him on Instagram @donny_bajohr.

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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