Not Just the Rum that Kills You — Lead Poisoning in Sailors and Soldiers in the 18th Century West Indies

For Royal Navy sailors and British soldiers in the West Indies during the 18th century, rum was a refuge for the discomforts of the duties of the day. The rum also may have been killing them. It wasn’t the alcohol, but … Continue reading

The Battle Of Fort McHenry & the Star Spangled Banner

At around 6AM, 200 years ago today, the British Royal Navy began a fearsome bombardment of Fort McHenry at the mouth of Baltimore harbor. The British had attempted to take Baltimore by both land and sea. The British army attack … Continue reading

$500 Million Treasure of the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes Returning Soon to Spain

Within the next day or so, two Spanish Air Force C-130 transport planes will land at Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base to load 17 tons of gold and silver coins and other artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Spanish Navy’s Nuestra … Continue reading

New Frigate HMS Westminster Sent to Libya Short on Missiles & No Royal Navy Warship Left to Guard Britain

The impact of the ongoing budget crisis in Britain on the Royal Navy has been far reaching. Last week we posted about concerns that budget cuts would leave Britain with a shortage of attack submarines.  Recently, it was revealed that the … Continue reading

Lt Cdr Sarah West, First Woman Appointed Commander of a Royal Navy Warship

The Royal Navy has appointed Lt Cdr Sarah West the command of HMS Portland, a Type 23 Duke Class Frigate launched in 1999. When she takes command on April 2012, she will be the first woman to command a Royal Navy warship. West previously … Continue reading

Divers of the Lost Ark?

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Invincible was sold to Turkish scrappers last February. Now bids are open for the sale of  HMS Ark Royal. While scrapping seems a likely outcome the tender allows that “alternatively the vessel may be purchased for re-use/refurbishment for non-warlike purposes.” … Continue reading

Claude Choules – Last World War I Combat Veteran Celebrates 110th Birthday

Claude Choules, the last surviving combat veteran of World War I celebrated his 110th birthday with family and friends in Perth earlier this month.   Though he served in two World Wars, the first in the Royal Navy and the second in … Continue reading

Cmdr. Andrew Coles of HMS Astute Relieved of Command

Not a great shock, but Cmdr. Andrew Coles has been relived of his command of  HMS Astute, the Royal Navy’s newest and “stealthiest” submarine which very publicly  ran aground last month near the Skye bridge off the Isle of Skye. Officer relieved of … Continue reading