Coloured or ornamented sails have always been exceptional. Early examples from Egypt, Greece and Rome are described. During the mediaeval period from the ...

Abstract In 1935, the author of this article was enabled to make a close examination of the life-size effigy of Nelson in Westminster Abbey. Made in 1806, it closely follows the full-length portrait ...

Abstract In 1650 the Portuguese government instituted a compulsory convoy system to protect its Brazil trade from the depredations of Dutch West India company warships and privateers. Meanwhile King ...

This is an article detailing the period when sidelights began to come into use and eventually became mandatory. Prior to their use it was only recommended that mooring lights be shown, with the ...

Abstract The handling of anchor cable on merchant ships was the subject of much innovation in the early nineteenth century. In warships anchor cable was handled by capstans operated by large crews. On ...

Abstract Mike Stammers, who died in January 2013, will be best known as the first Keeper of Maritime History at Merseyside County Museums and from 1986 Keeper of Merseyside Maritime Museum. Mike also ...

The few sources of information on organisation within the Roman Navy are explored. The role of the naval force is deduced to be that of an auxiliary within the military machine. The free quarterly ...

Abstract The liberation of Brazil was decided in 1823. Jose Bonifacio’s, government created a new Imperial Navy. First Admiral Lord Thomas Cochrane led the new Navy to total victory in a short and ...

Grahame Farr has put together the notes left by Vernon Boyle at the time of his death to provide first hand descriptions of techniques used during the 19 th century. The illustrations are by Vernon ...

This part of the series of articles compares the armaments of the English and Spanish fleets in the Armada campaign. A detailed analysis reveals that ...

Abstract Elizabethan and early Jacobeantrading voyages were managed by a triumvirate: the master, responsible for navigation, ship handling and the safe conveyance of cargoes; the agent of the ...

Abstract This article provides a survey of Guernsey-based privateering from roughly 1689 to 1815. The opportunity is also used to discuss reciprocal privateering by the French (from St. Malo to Dieppe ...