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Monthly Archives: May 2010
The Wavertree and Pioneer Turn 125
On Saturday May 24th, the Southstreet Seaport Museum in New York will celebrate the 125th birthdays of two fine ladies, the full rigged ship Wavertree and the schooner Pioneer. Built in 1885 in Southampton, England, the Wavertree was one of … Continue reading
Lt-Cdr Bobby Lawson – Swordfish Pilot who Attacked the Bismark
It was a classic contest between David and Goliath. On May 27, 1941, the German battleship Bismark had just sunk the pride of the Royal Navy, the HMS Hood. As she was close to escaping into safe waters, she was attacked … Continue reading
Posted in Current, History, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged Bismark, Lt-Cdr Bobby Lawson, Swordfish pilot
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Women Submariners – Pioneers Facing Many Challenges
The US Navy announced recently that by January 2012 19 women will be assigned to four ballistic missile submarines. The women officers will be facing challenges of logistics, operations and culture. Women submariners: Trailblazers by timing, sub sailors by choice … Continue reading
Tie the Knot Contest on the Schooner AJ Meerwald
No, this is not a knot tying contest exactly. No bowlines, or Matthew Walker knots need be produced. This is a contest sponsored by NJWedding.com to win a chance to get married for free aboard New Jersey’s official Tall Ship, … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged A.J. Meerwald, New Jersey's official Tall Ship
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Octopus Kills Shark
An odd and strangely fascinating video of an octopus killing a shark from NatGeo. It had been presumed that the sharks were the predator inthe octopus shark relationship. Obviously that is not always the case. Octopus Kills Shark
Tupaia, Captain Cook’s Polynesian Navigator – A New Book by Joan Druett
I love when an author shines a new light on history that we all thought we already knew. Joan Druett in her new book Tupaia, Captain Cook’s Polynesian Navigator, appears to do just that. A sneak peak from Joan … Continue reading
Posted in Newbooks, Seastories
Tagged Captain Cook, Captain Cook's Polynesian Navigator, Joan Druett, Tupaia
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Russian Cruiser Aurora Turns 110
The Russian Cruiser Aurora was launched 110 years ago this month. She is currently a museum ship in St. Petersburg, the city where she was built. The Cruiser “Aurora” The historical ship Aurora has been turned into a museum and is docked … Continue reading
Posted in Current, History, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged Aurora, October revolution, Russian Cruiser, Siege of Leningrad, St. Petersburg, Winter Palace
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Smallest Maritime Museum In England
We have already seen the two small ships of the Little Brig Sailing Trust. Now Alaric Bond has passed along an article about Robert Carter of Plymouth and the Smallest Maritime Museum In England, an only 12ft wide x 6ft museum, packed with nautical items. … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea
Tagged Little Brig Sailing Trust, Plymouth, Robert Carter, Smallest Maritime Museum
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Moby, Mocha and the Whale ship Essex
People are often surprised to hear that Herman Melville’s masterpiece, Moby Dick, was inspired, at least in part, by the sinking of the whale ship Essex by a sperm whale. By all accounts the sinking of the Essex haunted Melville and unquestionably supplied him with ending of his … Continue reading
Posted in History, Lore of the Sea, Seastories, Ships
Tagged Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Mocha Dick, sperm whale, whale ship Essex
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Navy Week, Portsmouth, 1937
Thanks to David Hayes of Astrodene’s Historical Naval Fiction for passing along this clip of Navy Days in 1937. HMS Victory, marching bands, period costumes and open air calisthenics. Click on the image to view the video. NAVY WEEK AT PORTSMOUTH . … Continue reading
MV Moscow University – Why Anti-Piracy Efforts off Somalia Are Doomed to Fail
Two news stories, days apart demonstrate, at least to me, why the current efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia are doomed to fail. We posted previously how the tanker MV Moscow University was recaptured from pirates by … Continue reading
Posted in Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged MV Moscow University, pirates, Russian Special Forces, Russian tanker, somalia
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Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World – a Review
A few days ago, we posted about Ric Burns’ new documentary, Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World, which will be broadcast tomorrow, May 10, at 9PM on most PBS channel in the United States. I had the opportunity to … Continue reading
Posted in Current, History, Lore of the Sea, Reviews, Seastories, Ships
Tagged Brig Niagara, Charles Morgan, documentary, Into the Deep: America, PBS, Ric Burns, whale ship, Whaling & the World
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Ancient treasures set for auction in Indonesia
Ancient treasures set for auction in Indonesia An ancient treasure trove salvaged from a 1,000-year-old shipwreck found by Indonesian fishermen is set to go under the hammer in Jakarta Wednesday with a minimum price of 80 million dollars. Belgian treasure-hunter … Continue reading
Posted in Current, History, Lore of the Sea, Ships
Tagged 1000 year old shipwreck, Belgian treasure-hunter, Liao Dynasty, Luc Heymans
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Russian special forces capture oil tanker Moscow University
Close cooperation between the ship’s personnel and the Russian military allowed Russian special forces to storm the captured tanker Moscow University without unduly jeopardizing the safety of the crew. Russian special forces capture oil tanker
