Tragedy on the HMS Astute: Update

Reports now indicate that Ryan Donovan, 22,  a sailor on HMS Astute, burst into the submarine control room and opened fire with an SA80 assault rifle yesterday, killing the ship’s weapons engineering officer, Lt. Cmdr. Ian Molyneux, 36, and wounding a second officer, Lieutenant Commander … Continue reading

Tall Ship Elissa in Space and a Possible Rodent Problem

The Tall Ship Elissa was built was built in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1877 by Alexander Hall and Co. She has been fully restored and is currently sailing out of Galveston, Texas. She recently successfully completed drydocking and inspection.  A small piece of … Continue reading

Slavery at sea ? Abuse of Sailors on New Zealand Chartered Fishing Vessles

A disturbing report from New Zealand on abusive conditions for  seamen  aboard  chartered  fishing vessels in New Zealand waters. Slavery at sea exposed Alerted to terrible conditions on foreign fishing vessels after nearly 30 people lost their lives, Michael Field began asking questions. … Continue reading

Air France 447 Wreck Site Located in Atlantic off Brazil

After over two years and three failed searches, an international team, including specialists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in partnership  with French authorities, have located the primary wreckage of Air France Flight 447 which disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean on May … Continue reading

Sailors and Society in Georgian England

“Sailors and Society in Georgian England : The Home of Lord Nelson, Jane Austen & Jack Aubrey” – It sounds a bit like someone’s history thesis but in fact is a ten day luxury tour  organized and escorted by British maritime scholar and author of more than thirty books, … Continue reading

Turning a Blind Eye – Nelson at Copenhagen

On April 2, 1801 at a key moment at the Battle of Copenhagen, Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, in overall command of the British forces, sent a signal to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson to withdraw.  Nelson is said to have lifted his telescope to his blind eye … Continue reading