Mike Houckham with a Dutch bronze cannon covered in white powder
A museum has been forced to close after burglars broke in and sprayed fire extinguishers over historic exhibits.
The Ramsgate Maritime Museum, which is a charity relying on visitor donations, has estimated it will cost about £10,000 to restore the artefacts.
Manager Mike Houckham said he found "a scene of total destruction" when he went to the museum on Tuesday morning.
Kent Police said they were investigating the incident and looking through CCTV footage.
The offenders used three fire extinguishers to break their way into the Grade II listed building, spraying the contents, smashing cabinets and leaving many of the exhibits covered in white powder.
Exhibits at the museum in Ramsgate show the maritime history of the area
They stole £90 from the till and emptied the contents of a charity box that was raising money for the Fishermen's Mission.
Mr Houckham said most of the exhibits would require specialist cleaning.
Brian Daubney, of the Ramsgate Society, and who works at the museum, said it had happened at the worst time.
"It is the only time of the year when it would really hurt us not to be able to function, and now we can't.
"We've got the regatta outside right now, we've got festivals coming up - pop festivals, art festivals, and then other little festivals - and we aren't going to be able to open, which is tragic."
