Updated Repost on Trafalgar Day Plus One : Conrad on Nelson — What if the Wind Had Shifted?

I am currently traveling, so I managed to miss Trafalgar Day. Here is an updated repost in honor of Nelson’s great victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets a day ago on October 21, in 1805. There is a … Continue reading

Hoisting the Christmas Tree to the Masthead on the Joseph Conrad at Mystic Seaport

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate the holiday. Here is a short video of the rigging crew of Matt Otto, Nick Canzellarini and Alex Peacock at Mystic Seaport Museum installing one of the many mast-top Christmas trees atop the … Continue reading

Joseph Conrad on the Titanic – On Experts, Icebergs, Lifeboats and Biscuit Tins

In June of 1912, Joseph Conrad wrote “Some Reflections on the Loss of the Titanic” for the English Review.  While best known as a novelist, his comments reflect his years as a ship’s officer in both sail and steam.   He finds little … Continue reading

Conrad on Nelson at Trafalgar

The final essay in Joseph Conrad’s wonderful, if somewhat odd book, The Mirror of the Sea,  is entitled “The Heroic Age.”  It starts out rather disappointingly as a paean to Nelson.  There is nothing wrong with praising Nelson, except that everyone does it, so another bit … Continue reading