Battleship USS Texas Refloating in Drydock

A drone video of the 110-year-old battleship USS Texas being refloated following repairs and refurbishment on the drydock at the Gulf Copper Shipyard in Galveston.  The Texas is the oldest remaining dreadnought battleship and only one of six surviving ships to … Continue reading

Women’s History Month — Remembering Winnie Breegle, WWII WAVE and Code Talker

During Women’s History Month, it is a good time to honor Winnie Breegle who served in World War II as a WAVE (Woman Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) cryptographer and a Navajo “Code Talker”, who didn’t happen to be a … Continue reading

When the Mail Arrives Late — Faroese Sweater Found in Parcel from 1807

A red traditional Faroese knit sweater was recently found in a stash of 19th-century letters at the British National Archives in their Prize Papers collection. The sweater, or jumper in British parlance, handknitted in vibrantly colored fine wool, was intended … Continue reading

Solo Orca Attacks and Kills Great White Shark in Under Two Minutes Off South Africa

Orcas attacking and killing sharks, even great white sharks, off the coast of South Africa is nothing new. A year ago, a pair of orcas killed 17 sharks in one day in South Africa’s Pearly Bay. More recently, scientists were … Continue reading

Update: Bulker MV Rubymar Sinks After Being Struck by Houthi Missile Almost Two Weeks Ago

On Sunday, February 18th, anti-ship ballistic missiles, launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen, struck the MV Rubymar, a  32,211 DWT, Belize-flagged, UK-owned, and Lebanese-operated bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The attack caused sufficient … Continue reading

Women’s History Month — Eleanor Creesy, Navigator of the Clipper Ship Flying Cloud

On the first day of Women’s History Month, it is worth remembering Eleanor Creesy, the navigator of the clipper ship Flying Cloud, who with her husband, Captain Josiah Creesy, set world sailing records for the fastest passage between New York … Continue reading

Spanning Women’s & Black History Months: Remembering Raye Montague, Barrier-Shattering Navy Ship Designer

Today, the 29th of February, is Leap Day, which seems to be a perfect opportunity to celebrate both February’s Black History Month and March’s Women’s History Month. As such, it is a good time to honor the memory of Raye … Continue reading

American Cruising Couple Feared Dead After Yacht Stolen in Grenada Prison Break

Two liveaboard cruisers, Ralph Hendry, 66, and Kathy Brandel, 71, are missing and feared dead after their 48′ catamaran Simplicity was apparently stolen during a prison escape from Grenada by three men on February 19th.  On February 21, their boat was … Continue reading

Mechanics of Whale Song Revealed in New Study

For centuries, sailors heard the sounds made by whales reverberating through the hulls of wooden ships. Arctic whalers dubbed beluga whales the “canaries of the seas” for their clicks, chirps, and whistles.  Nevertheless, it was long thought that whale noises … Continue reading

Thomas Downing, From Son of Slaves to Oyster King of New York City

In the decades before the Civil War, Thomas Downing, the son of slaves, became the acknowledged oyster king of New York City when New York was the oyster capital of the known universe.  He had learned how to rake oysters … Continue reading

Black History Month: Paul Cuffe — African-American Captain, Ship Owner & Shipbuilder

During Black History Month, it is worthwhile to remember early African-American shipmasters. Who was the first? That is hard to say. Paul Cuffe is a good candidate.  An updated repost. Paul Cuffe was born on Cuttyhunk Island, MA on January … Continue reading

Hornblower Group Files for Bankruptcy Reorganization, Shuts Down American Queen Voyages

The Hornblower Group; a diversified ferry, cruise, marine hospitality, and services organization; has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing is expected to help cut the company’s debt load by $720 million. The company enters bankruptcy with assets of up … Continue reading

Celebrating Washington’s Birthday — a Brief Look Back at Washington’s Navy

Happy Washington’s birthday, or close to Washington’s birthday, at any rate. Since 1879, the third Monday in February has been celebrated as a federal holiday in the United States in honor of the Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental Army to … Continue reading

Crew of Bulker MV Rubymar Abandons Ship off Yemen After Houthi Attack

On Sunday evening, anti-ship ballistic missiles, launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen, struck the MV Rubymar, a  32,211 DWT, Belize-flagged, UK-owned, and Lebanese-operated bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The attack caused sufficient damage … Continue reading

Remembering Robert Smalls – Former Slave, Pilot of the Planter, First Black Captain in the US Navy & US Congressman

Here is a story well worth retelling; an updated repost in honor of Black History Month; the remarkable story of Robert Smalls. On May 13, 1862, Robert Smalls, a 23-year-old slave, who served as the pilot of the Confederate armed transport, CSS Planter, … Continue reading

Black History Month — First Black Liberty Ship Captain, Hugh Mulzac, Says No To Jim Crow

Hugh Mulzak served as the first Black Liberty ship captain in World War II. When offered the command, he refused to sail with a segregated crew. An updated repost in honor of Black History Month. Born in 1886 on Union … Continue reading

Russian Landing Ship Caesar Kunikov Sunk Off Crimea Sunk by Ukrainian Drone ‘Wolfpack’

Newsweek reports that Ukraine’s latest strike on Russia’s naval forces in the Black Sea was inspired by World War II submarine tactics, according to one Ukrainian military expert, as the Kremlin counts the cost of yet surprise maritime attack. Ivan … Continue reading

Celebrating Frederick Douglass on Valentine’s Day — “I Will Take to the Water”

Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of both the day and Black History Month, here is an updated repost about Frederick Douglass. But what does Valentine’s Day have to do with Frederick Douglass?  As a slave, Douglass never knew the date … Continue reading