This late 18C house, built for his personal use by the city’s architect and hydrant officer, Mr Thibault, was bought by a ship-owner (hence its name) in the early 19C and it miraculously survived the bombing of 1945. Its five circular storeys, each entirely decorated in wood carvings are laid around an octagonal central well of light. The period taste in decoration is illustrated by the recreated interior of stables, bedrooms, trading office, curiosity cabinets and observation room.