Captain Jorge Juan - International Spy in the Age of Sail
In April 1748, the long War of Austrian Succession came to an end, leaving the Spanish Navy in a terrible plight. Spain was dependent for...
Ship's Carpenters
Age of sail ships were made almost entirely from wood. Oak, prized for its strength, was the most popular type of timber used but other...
The last voyage of the USS Argus
The naval part of the War of 1812 is best remembered for the titanic clashes between large frigates, such as the USS Constitution’s...
George Vancouver
The beautiful city of Vancouver in British Columbia, along with the large island that lies between it and the Pacific Ocean are both...
The Sinking of the Vengeur du Peuple
The naval career of the French 74-gun ship of the line Vengeur du Peuple (Avenger of the People) began modestly. She was one of 18 major...
The Lighthouse at the edge of the World
Lighthouses are often built in remote locations. In some ways this comes with the territory, given their purpose of warning ships that...
Press Gangs
The press gang is deeply imbedded in our perception of the 18th century Royal Navy. The popular view is of warships, ever hungry for...
The Battle of the Texel
In the autumn of 1794, the resurgent French Republic was on the march. The royal family had been executed, various attacks on France had...
The Curious Tale of William Adams, the Samurai Sailor
In the early 1980s a novel by James Clavell called ‘Shogun’ gripped the Western World. The book sold in millions, and awoke considerable...
The Galleys' Last Hurrah - The Battle of Lepanto
In the 16th century the Ottoman Empire was on the march. Having established rule over almost all of North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey...
