User:Benea/DYK

List

5 October 2012 HMS Mediator (1782)
5 October 2012 James Luttrell
13 July 2012 Night of the Long Knives (1962)
4 July 2012 James Coutts Crawford
14 May 2012 John Bligh (Royal Navy officer)
9 April 2012 John Ferrier
9 April 2012 John Halsted
26 March 2012 Augustus Brine
19 March 2012 Edward Hawker
12 March 2012 Samuel Warren (Royal Navy officer)
6 March 2012 HMS Bellerophon (1786)
29 February 2012 Charles Phipps (Royal Navy officer)
28 February 2012 Jonathan Faulknor the elder
22 February 2012 Jeremiah Smith (Royal Navy officer)
19 February 2012 SS Port Nicholson (1918)
18 February 2012 Deptford Dockyard
15 February 2012 John Hill (Royal Navy officer)
25 January 2012 MV Spiegelgracht
23 December 2011 Action of 5 November 1813
22 December 2011 Henry Heathcote
21 December 2011 Joseph Spear
29 November 2011 Robert Linzee
26 November 2011 Edward Sneyd Clay
20 November 2011 Thomas Eyles
23 October 2011 SS Mantola
21 October 2011 Thomas Fortescue Kennedy
21 October 2011 HMS Temeraire (1798)
13 September 2011 William Lechmere
24 August 2011 James Macnamara
12 July 2011 Flagmen of Lowestoft
20 June 2011 William Berkeley (Royal Navy officer)
19 June 2011 Edward Knowles (Royal Navy officer)
12 May 2011 Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov
7 May 2011 Cedric Holland
1 May 2011 Samuel Goodall
30 April 2011 Salusbury Pryce Humphreys
29 April 2011 HMS Prince William (1780)
20 April 2011 Thomas Cochrane, 8th Earl of Dundonald
19 April 2011 Charles Inglis (c. 1731–1791)
12 April 2011 French ship Censeur (1782)
11 April 2011 Charles Inglis (d. 1833)
10 April 2011 George Johnstone (Royal Navy officer)
1 April 2011 HMS Europa (1765)
1 April 2011 John Bastard (Royal Navy officer)
23 March 2011 Philemon Pownoll
12 September 2010 HMS Aeolus (1801)
8 September 2010 HMS Chatham (1812)
2 September 2010 HMS Salisbury (1746)
28 August 2010 SMS Bremse
27 August 2010 James Young (1762–1833)
22 August 2010 Anthony James Pye Molloy
17 August 2010 Thomas Pye
16 August 2010 HMS Greenwich (1747)
16 August 2010 Robert Roddam
1 August 2010 Battle of Cap-Français
31 July 2010 William Martin (Royal Navy officer)
26 July 2010 Savage Mostyn
24 July 2010 HMS Monarch (1747)
15 July 2010 William Young (1751–1821)
14 July 2010 William Young (1761–1847)
1 July 2010 HMS Concorde (1783)
16 May 2010 Andrei Alexandrovich Popov
15 May 2010 Ernest Troubridge
15 May 2010 Sir Thomas Troubridge, 3rd Baronet
7 April 2010 Spanish ship Neptuno (1795)
7 April 2010 French ship Neptune (1803)
7 April 2010 HMS Neptune (1797)
23 March 2010 James Walker (Royal Navy officer)
13 March 2010 Jürgen Wattenberg
8 March 2010 HMS Adamant (1780)
4 March 2010 Lord George Paulet
19 February 2010 HMS Modeste (1793)
19 February 2010 George Elliot (1784–1863)
28 January 2010 John Sheridan (Royal Navy officer)
27 January 2010 HMS Alcmene (1794)
26 January 2010 HMS Princess (1740)
25 January 2010 George Eyre
22 January 2010 HMS Thanet (H29)
17 January 2010 John Elliot (Royal Navy officer)
10 January 2010 Maurice Swynfen Fitzmaurice
23 December 2009 HMS Speedy (1782)
23 December 2009 Hugh Downman
22 December 2009 HMS Santa Dorothea (1798)
27 November 2009 Richard Bowen
27 November 2009 HMS Terpsichore (1785)
5 October 2009 Battle of Cape Ortegal
29 September 2009 Francis Wheler
23 September 2009 John Lawford
22 September 2009 HMS Alligator (1787)
22 September 2009 Sir Isaac Coffin, 1st Baronet
19 September 2009 Battle of Diamond Rock
19 September 2009 James Wilkes Maurice
3 September 2009 HMS Orestes (1781)
3 September 2009 HMS Pylades (1781)
3 September 2009 John MacBride (Royal Navy officer)
27 August 2009 HMS Fifi
26 August 2009 Battle for Lake Tanganyika
17 August 2009 Lawrence Halsted
12 August 2009 Charles Lydiard
11 August 2009 HMS Carysfort (1766)
30 July 2009 Sir Edward Buller, 1st Baronet
25 July 2009 HMS Malta (1800)
24 July 2009 William Hotham (1772–1848)
7 July 2009 Hugh Cloberry Christian
7 July 2009 Sydney Fremantle
3 July 2009 George Martin (Royal Navy officer)
30 June 2009 Samuel Sutton
30 June 2009 HMS Canopus (1798)
28 June 2009 HMS Lively (G40)
24 June 2009 HMS Romney (1762)
20 June 2009 Thomas Bertie
10 June 2009 Edward Riou
10 June 2009 HMS Amazon (1799)
7 June 2009 Jolly boat
3 June 2009 James Lind (Royal Navy officer)
31 May 2009 Astraea class cruiser
30 May 2009 HMS Blanche (1786)
30 May 2009 HMS Pique (1795)
30 May 2009 Fleetwood Pellew
28 May 2009 HMS Wilhelmina (1798)
28 May 2009 HMS St Fiorenzo (1794)
28 May 2009 George Nicholas Hardinge
23 May 2009 HMS Centurion (1774)
21 May 2009 Trafalgar Campaign
20 May 2009 Thomas Baker (Royal Navy officer)
18 May 2009 Skeffington Lutwidge
17 May 2009 Nathaniel Dance
12 May 2009 List of fireships of the Royal Navy
7 May 2009 Charles Elphinstone Fleeming
7 May 2009 Sir Robert Laurie, 6th Baronet
7 May 2009 HMS Milan (1805)
7 May 2009 HMS Cleopatra (1779)
4 May 2009 HMS Gay Viking
4 May 2009 HM Motor Gun Boat 2007
4 May 2009 Gay class fast patrol boat
3 May 2009 SS Empire Morn
28 April 2009 HMS Vengeance (1800)
26 April 2009 Sir Robert Kingsmill, 1st Baronet
24 April 2009 Bulldog class survey vessel
21 April 2009 HMS Jason (1794)
18 April 2009 List of bomb vessels of the Royal Navy
15 April 2009 HMS Spitfire (1782)
10 April 2009 Sir George Collier, 1st Baronet
2 April 2009 Raid on Boulogne
1 April 2009 SS Letitia
29 March 2009 George Murray (Royal Navy officer)
25 March 2009 John Phillimore
21 March 2009 HMS Castor (1785)
19 March 2009 Henry Paulet
7 March 2009 Thomas Dundas (Royal Navy officer)
26 February 2009 William Prowse
21 February 2009 Sir Charles Knowles, 1st Baronet
17 February 2009 Sir Charles Knowles, 2nd Baronet
13 February 2009 Sir Thomas Allin, 1st Baronet
9 February 2009 Richard Dacres (Royal Navy officer)
9 February 2009 Richard Dacres (British Army officer)
9 February 2009 Sydney Dacres
9 February 2009 Barrington Dacres
9 February 2009 James Richard Dacres (1788–1853)
9 February 2009 James Richard Dacres (1749–1810)
28 January 2009 John Maitland (Royal Navy officer)
28 January 2009 Charles Powell Hamilton
21 January 2009 Richard Bligh
20 January 2009 George Miller Bligh
19 January 2009 HMS Albemarle (1779)
19 January 2009 Sir Edward Hamilton, 1st Baronet
19 January 2009 Hugh Pigot (Royal Navy captain)
16 January 2009 SS Empire Clansman
16 January 2009 SS Empire Arthur
16 January 2009 Grangemouth Dockyard Company
5 January 2009 Alexander John Scott
16 December 2008 HMS Artifex (F28)
5 December 2008 Richard Haddock
5 December 2008 Barnegat class seaplane tender
5 December 2008 USS Timbalier (AVP-54)
4 December 2008 The Bronze Horseman (poem)
2 December 2008 Thomas West (clergyman)
30 November 2008 Charles Gough (artist)
24 November 2008 SS Uhenfels
13 November 2008 Charles Cunningham
13 November 2008 Capture of the Jeune Richard
12 November 2008 HMS Hinchinbrook (1778)
9 November 2008 Charles Austen
4 November 2008 HMS Braak (1795)
31 October 2008 Wycoller Hall
31 October 2008 HMS Bacchante (1876)
31 October 2008 HMS Astraea (1893)
30 October 2008 HMS Santa Margarita (1779)
24 October 2008 Legacy of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
22 October 2008 HMS Swiftsure (1787)
20 October 2008 Sir Thomas Thompson, 1st Baronet
17 October 2008 Ralph Willett Miller
15 October 2008 Nelson's Band of Brothers
14 October 2008 Davidge Gould
12 October 2008 William Mounsey
12 October 2008 HMS Furieuse (1809)
12 October 2008 HMS Bonne Citoyenne (1796)
10 October 2008 George Blagdon Westcott
5 October 2008 HMS Inconstant (1783)
2 October 2008 HMS Niemen (1809)
2 October 2008 Sir Michael Seymour, 1st Baronet
29 September 2008 Edmund Nelson (clergyman)
25 September 2008 Joseph Sydney Yorke
17 September 2008 Alexander Thomas Emeric Vidal
17 September 2008 HMS Vidal
10 September 2008 Sir Francis Geary, 1st Baronet
7 September 2008 HMS Foudroyant (1758)
28 August 2008 HMS Sans Pareil (1794)
19 August 2008 HMS Badger (1777)
4 August 2008 Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow
4 August 2008 HMS Seahorse (1748)
2 August 2008 William Thornton Bate
31 July 2008 HMS Carcass (1759)
29 July 2008 Harwich Force
24 July 2008 SS Königin Luise (1913)
22 July 2008 Atlantic Causeway
21 July 2008 825 Naval Air Squadron
12 July 2008 Ralph Kerr
12 July 2008 Dogger (boat)
8 July 2008 HMS Ark Royal (91)
6 July 2008 Herbert Sawyer (1730 - 1798)
6 July 2008 Herbert Sawyer
2 July 2008 Arthur Bingham
2 July 2008 HMS Little Belt (1807)
27 June 2008 820 Naval Air Squadron
15 June 2008 SS Carsbreck
15 June 2008 Unterseeboot 564
5 June 2008 Harry Price (Royal Navy)
2 June 2008 HMS Ferret (shore establishment 1940)
29 May 2008 John Kempthorne (Royal Navy officer)
25 May 2008 Sir John Moore, 1st Baronet"
19 May 2008 HMS Ganges (shore establishment)
19 May 2008 HMS Hector (F45)
13 May 2008 Friedrich Guggenberger
13 May 2008 Unterseeboot 81 (1941)
4 May 2008 Heinrich Bleichrodt
21 April 2008 USS Scout (MCM-8)
14 April 2008 SS Blairspey
13 April 2008 SS Assyrian
13 April 2008 HMS Quail (G45)
12 April 2008 Order of battle for Convoy SC-7
2 April 2008 SS Fort La Monte
2 April 2008 HMS Arrow (H42)
30 March 2008 Frederick Lewis Maitland (Rear Admiral)
29 March 2008 HMS Kimberley (F50)
27 March 2008 Philip Beaver
25 March 2008 Stalingrad Madonna
24 March 2008 HMS Codrington (D65)
19 March 2008 Thomas Phillips (engineer)
10 March 2008 Richard Kirkby (Royal Navy)
10 March 2008 George Walton (Royal Navy)
7 March 2008 John Benbow
6 March 2008 Richard Lestock
4 March 2008 HMS President (shore establishment)
3 March 2008 John Forbes (Royal Navy)
2 March 2008 HMS Bonaventure (F139)
27 February 2008 MS Stolt Surf
27 February 2008 William Locker (Royal Navy)
26 February 2008 HMS Entreprenante (1801)
21 February 2008 Richard Strachan
21 February 2008 Solway Harvester
12 February 2008 HMS Shannon (1806)
8 February 2008 HMS Donegal (1798)
5 February 2008 HMS Mutine (1797)
23 January 2008 Esper Ukhtomsky
10 January 2008 Ship's cat
5 January 2008 SS Fanad Head
24 December 2007 Ellerman Lines
23 December 2007 HMS Legion (G74)
23 December 2007 SS City of Cairo
18 December 2007 HMS Tartar (F43)
14 December 2007 HMS Fury (H76)
12 December 2007 SS Gulfamerica
11 December 2007 HMS Benbow (1913)
9 December 2007 SS Stalingrad
23 November 2007 HMS Amphion (1911)
20 November 2007 HMS Alarm (1758)
15 November 2007 HMS Bryony (K192)
14 November 2007 SS Atheltempler
12 November 2007 HMS Frobisher (D81)
30 October 2007 HMS Jamaica (44)
26 September 2007 HMS Donegal (1858)
25 September 2007 HMS Durban (D99)
22 September 2007 Tirpitz (pig)
19 September 2007 SS James B. Stephens
18 September 2007 HMS Nigeria (60)
18 September 2007 German ship Lauenburg
17 September 2007 HMS Nigeria (60)
9 September 2007 HMS Ceres (D59)
8 September 2007 HMS Carlisle (D67)
5 September 2007 HMS Ark Royal (1587)
21 July 2007 HMS Vandal (P64)

Text

...that the U class submarine HMS Vandal (pictured) had the shortest career of any Royal Navy submarine, being lost with all hands just four days after its commission?
...that the first HMS Ark Royal was sunk in 1636 when she struck her own anchor and stove in her hull whilst underway?
...that the C-class light cruiser HMS Carlisle (pictured) was damaged by German bombers during the Allied landings in Sicily and spent the rest of the war in Alexandria harbour?
...that in the early 1940s, HMS Ceres (pictured), a C-class light cruiser of the British Royal Navy, was involved in the evacuation and later recapturing of British Somaliland?
...that the Crown Colony-class light cruiser HMS Nigeria made one of the earliest captures of German Enigma material?
...that cryptologist Harry Hinsley's realisation that German weather ships were the Achilles' heel of the Enigma code led to the capture of the weather ship Lauenburg?
...that despite being hit by two torpedoes that broke her in half, only one life was lost in the sinking of the Liberty ship SS James B. Stephens?
- ...that Tirpitz the pig (pictured) rescued after the sinking of the SMS Dresden became a ship's mascot on one of the cruisers that sank the Dresden?
...that the Danae class cruiser HMS Durban ended her wartime career supporting the Battle of Normandy as a blockship off the Normandy coast in 1944?
...that the last surrender of the American Civil War took place aboard the British HMS Donegal after the CSS Shenandoah completed a 9,000 mile voyage specifically to do so?
...that the Crown Colony-class cruiser HMS Jamaica (pictured) was nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost of the Korean Coast" because the North Koreans claimed that she had been sunk on three occasions?
...that the British Hawkins-class heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (pictured) in 1944 was involved in Operation Neptune as a member of Gunfire Bombardment Support Force D allocated to Sword Beach in the D-Day landings?
...that the British motor tanker SS Atheltempler, part of Convoy PQ-18 to aid the Soviet Union in the war against Nazi Germany, was sunk north of Bear Island?
...that the Flower class corvette HMS Bryony (pictured) was sunk before she could even be launched?
...that the frigate HMS Alarm was the first ship of the Royal Navy ever to have a fully copper-sheathed hull?
...that HMS Amphion (pictured) was sunk in the opening 36 hours of the First World War?
...that despite the torpedoed Soviet merchant SS Stalingrad sinking in under four minutes, 66 of her crew still managed to survive?
...that HMS Benbow's (pictured) class, the Iron Dukes, were the first Royal Navy battleships to mount anti-aircraft guns?
...that Commander Reinhard Hardegen deliberately placed his U-boat in danger during the sinking of the SS Gulfamerica by refusing to risk hitting civilians onshore?
...that the F class destroyer HMS Fury (pictured) carried the former King Edward VIII to France the day after he abdicated the throne?
...that the Tribal class destroyer HMS Tartar received the nickname 'Lucky Tartar' due to her numerous escapes from dangerous situations in World War II?
...that the L class destroyer HMS Legion rescued 1,560 crew members of the torpedoed aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal?
...that after sinking the SS City of Cairo, Kapitän zur See Karl-Friedrich Merten gave the survivors directions to the nearest land, and parted with the words "Goodnight, and sorry for sinking you"?
...that the British shipping company Ellerman Lines lost 60 out of its 105 strong fleet of merchant vessels during the Second World War?
...that in attempting to stop U-30 from sinking the SS Fanad Head, two Blackburn Skuas managed to cripple themselves with their own bombs, causing them to crash?
...that the practice of taking cats aboard ships (example pictured) dates back to the Ancient Egyptians?
...that Prince Esper Ukhtomsky's account of Nicholas II's Eastern tour, Travels in the East of Nicholas II, was written in close consultation with the Tsar himself?
...that Thomas Masterman Hardy's first command was HMS Mutine, a ship he had himself captured at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
...that after being captured from the French, HMS Donegal went on to capture two French ships at the Battle of San Domingo?
...that Captain Philip Broke personally led the boarding party from HMS Shannon onto the USS Chesapeake (pictured)?
...that despite not being present at the Battle of Trafalgar, Richard Strachan was among those rewarded for the victory?
...that the wreck of the scallop dredger Solway Harvester was discovered by the Royal Navy's minehunter HMS Sandown?
...that the cutter HMS Entreprenante was the smallest British warship at the Battle of Trafalgar?
...that photos of the rogue wave encountered by the MS Stolt Surf contributed to the growing evidence of their presence in the deep ocean?
...that Horatio Nelson admitted that William Locker (pictured) was a major influence on his later career?
...that HMS Bonaventure became the first ship to re-enter service with the Clan Line after the end of the Second World War, having spent five years as a submarine depot ship?
...that Admiral John Forbes (pictured) refused to sign the death warrant imposed on fellow Admiral John Byng, convinced of his innocence?
...that with over 370 officers and ratings, HMS President is one of the largest "stone frigates" of the Royal Naval Reserve?
...that while one naval historian praised Richard Lestock for his "zeal and attention", another declared he "ought to have been shot"?
......that "Brave" Admiral Benbow (pictured), celebrated in song, was compensated by the British Treasury after a three month visit by Tsar Peter the Great left his house ‘entirely ruined’?
...that whilst both Richard Kirkby and George Walton were present at the Action of August 1702, Walton went on to be an Admiral, whilst Kirkby was executed for cowardice?
- ...that military engineer Thomas Phillips (pictured), is pictured in a 17th-century painting with Brave Benbow , but an almost identical painting has him replaced by the Earl of Orford?
...that despite a wartime career lasting less than a year, HMS Codrington transported a number of dignitaries, including King George VI, Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill?
...that the Stalingrad Madonna was flown out on the last transport plane to leave the trapped Sixth Army during the Battle of Stalingrad?
...that Captain Philip Beaver (pictured) once read the entire Encyclopædia Britannica during one of his cruises?
...that when the commander of the German forces in the Dodecanese came to surrender aboard HMS Kimberley, he did so aboard a captured British Motor Launch?
...that Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland received the final surrender of Napoleon Bonaparte aboard his ship HMS Bellerophon after the Napoleonic Wars?
...that the fire and explosion of SS Fort La Monte wrecked the nearby Royal Navy destroyer HMS Arrow (pictured)?
...that twenty out of the thirty five merchant ships of convoy SC-7 were sunk by German U-boats?
...that the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Quail (pictured) was mined in November 1943, but did not sink until May 1944?
...that the SS Assyrian started life as a German merchant ship in the First World War and ended it as British merchant in the Second World War?
...that the SS Blairspey was hit by at least three torpedoes from two different U-boats, but still managed to reach port because her cargo of timber kept her afloat?
...that the mine countermeasures ship USS Scout used her sonar to locate hazardous sunken debris off the Louisiana coast after Hurricane Katrina?
... that U-boat commander Heinrich Bleichrodt refused to wear his Knight's Cross until his subordinate, Reinhard Suhren received one as well?
... that Friedrich Guggenberger's U-81 sank the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal (pictured) with a single torpedo?
... that by the end of the Second World War 60,968 ratings had passed through the Royal Navy stone frigate HMS Ganges?
... that the armed merchant cruiser HMS Hector was in the process of being decommissioned when she was sunk in the Easter Sunday Raid?
.. that future Admiral John Moore joined the Royal Navy when he was just 11 years old?
... that John Kempthorne defeated an attack by seven Algerine corsairs on his single ship, HMS Mary Rose?
... that over fifty surrendered U-boats were gathered at HMS Ferret awaiting disposal in Operation Deadlight?
... that Royal Navy seaman Harry Price recounted in a memoir how he once instigated a minor mutiny, only to end it when it reached "ugly proportions"?
... that the SS Carsbreck survived being torpedoed by Heinrich Liebe's U-38 in 1940, but was sunk by Reinhard Suhren's U-564 in 1941?
... that 820 Naval Air Squadron (aircraft pictured) was involved in attacks on the German battleships Bismarck and Tirpitz during the Second World War?
... that Admiral Herbert Sawyer had a son named Herbert Sawyer, who not only also became an admiral, but was even given his father's old command, the North American Station?
... that a pilot of 818 Naval Air Squadron flying from HMS Ark Royal, crippled the German battleship Bismarck so that she could later be sunk?
... that Captain Ralph Kerr, briefly commander of the Royal Navy's largest warship HMS Hood, had previously only commanded destroyers?
... that the Dogger, a type of fishing boat, takes its name from the Dogger Bank, which was itself named after an earlier type of fishing vessel?
... that aircraft from 825 Naval Air Squadron (aircraft pictured) carried out attacks against several German battleships during the Second World War?
... that the container ship Atlantic Causeway was refitted with a ski-jump to enable her to operate Sea Harriers during the Falklands War?
... that the sinking of the SS Königin Luise (pictured) was the first German naval loss of the First World War?
... that the Harwich Force, under Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt, oversaw the surrender of German U-boats at the end of the First World War?
... that while serving aboard HMS Carcass as a midshipman on an Arctic expedition, a young Horatio Nelson is reported to have chased a polar bear?
... that Mount Bate, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is probably named after William Thornton Bate, a Royal Navy officer killed during the Second Opium War?
... that future admirals Samuel Barrington, George Darby, Hugh Palliser, Thomas Pasley, Thomas Troubridge and Horatio Nelson all served aboard HMS Seahorse?
... that 52 ships of the German High Seas Fleet were successfully scuttled in Scapa Flow (example pictured) in 1919, but many were later salvaged?
... that Horatio Nelson's first command in the Royal Navy was the brig HMS Badger?
... that HMS Sans Pareil (pictured), a former French ship captured at the Glorious First of June in 1794, was later used to hold French prisoners-of-war during the Napoleonic Wars?
... that the French ship Le Foudroyant was captured in 1758 and fought against the French Navy as HMS Foudroyant?
... that Admiral Sir Francis Geary was a noted bellringer at St Bride's Church, London?
... that HMS Vidal, the ship sent to annexe Rockall, was named after Alexander Vidal, the first man to properly survey the islet?
... that Admiral Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke (pictured) drowned when the boat he was returning to shore in capsized?
... that Reverend Edmund Nelson's most famous son, Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (pictured), was born 250 years ago today?
... that Sir Michael Seymour was appointed to command HMS Niemen in September 1809, a ship he had captured from the French that April?
... that HMS Inconstant, a Royal Navy frigate, captured three French warships during the French Revolutionary Wars?
... that after Captain George Blagdon Westcott was killed at the Battle of the Nile, Horatio Nelson gave his own medal from the battle to Westcott's family?
... that Captain William Mounsey, in command of the much smaller HMS Bonne Citoyenne, captured a frigate and later commanded her as HMS Furieuse?
... that Sir Davidge Gould, who served during the American Revolutionary, French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, was promoted to the rank of Admiral in 1825?
... that Horatio Nelson called the captains who fought with him at the Battle of the Nile his "Band of Brothers"?
... that after serving in a number of battles of the American and French Revolutionary Wars, Captain Ralph Willett Miller was killed in an accidental explosion aboard his ship HMS Theseus?
... that after his ship was captured by the French, Captain Thomas Thompson complained that his captors stole his surgeon's instruments whilst he was trying to operate on the wounded?
... that HMS Swiftsure fought at the Nile for the British, and at Trafalgar for the French?
... that Horatio Nelson's legacy has been celebrated in books, paintings and monuments?
... that despite being built for the Spanish Navy, the frigate Santa Margarita spent just five years in service with them, but served for nearly 60 years with the Royal Navy?
... that Harold Owen claimed the ghost of his brother, the poet Wilfred Owen, appeared to him on board HMS Astraea a week after Wilfred's death?
... that the future King George V was among 13 people aboard HMS Bacchante who saw the infamous ghost ship Flying Dutchman off South Africa in 1881?
... that Wycoller Hall (pictured) is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a murdered wife, who foretold the hall's ruin?
... that HMS Braak was seized and brought into the Royal Navy when the former Dutch ship anchored in Falmouth, unaware that the Dutch had gone to war with Britain?
... that Rear-Admiral Charles Austen′s family included Admiral of the Fleet Francis Austen, and the novelist Jane Austen?
... that HMS Hinchinbrook was Horatio Nelson's second navy command, and his first as post-captain?
... that despite having only 28 men to his opponent's 92, William Rogers (pictured) not only defended his ship from a privateer, but boarded and captured her with just five men?
... that the successful escape from the multi-ship mutiny at the Nore by Royal Navy Captain Charles Cunningham in 1797 led to that mutiny's failure?
... that the German merchant ship SS Uhenfels was captured at sea during the Second World War, and subsequently became a British merchant?
... that the death of Charles Gough was depicted in poetry and art by Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, Francis Danby and Edwin Landseer?
... that the first guidebook to the English Lake District was written in 1778 by Catholic priest Thomas West?
... that Alexander Pushkin's The Bronze Horseman (illustration pictured) has been described as "the best poem written anywhere in the 19th century"?
... that the USS Timbalier, a Barnegat class seaplane tender, served as a postwar cruise ship until 1989?
... that King Charles II rewarded Captain Richard Haddock for his actions in the Battle of Solebay by giving him a hat?
... that the Royal Navy repair ship HMS Artifex previously served as a liner for Cunard and as an armed merchant cruiser?
... that Alexander John Scott (pictured), Nelson's chaplain at Trafalgar, was once struck by lightning while asleep in his cabin?
... that ships built by the Grangemouth Dockyard Company during the Second World War included the SS Empire Arthur and the SS Empire Clansman?
... that after Captain Hugh Pigot was killed in a mutiny, Captain Edward Hamilton led the force (pictured) that recaptured his ship HMS Hermione?
... that while Captain Horatio Nelson was initially enthusiastic about his new command HMS Albemarle, his more experienced uncle, Maurice Suckling, expressed doubts?
... that George Miller Bligh was present at Nelson's death at Trafalgar, and was subsequently incorporated into Arthur William Devis's painting of the event?
... that intercepted by a larger French force on 6 November 1794, Captain Richard Bligh of HMS Alexander chose to stay and fight, allowing his companion ship, HMS Canada, to safely retreat?
... that Captain Charles Powell Hamilton was present at both the loss of HMS Alexander in the Action of 6 November 1794, and her recapture at the Battle of Groix?
... that Captain John Maitland's decisive quashing of an attempted mutiny was termed 'Doctor Maitland's recipe' by Admiral John Jervis?
... that Britain's Dacres family produced an Admiral and First Naval Lord, Sydney, three vice-admirals, James Richard (pictured), Richard and James Richard, a naval Captain, Barrington, and a field marshal, Richard James?
... that Sir Thomas Allin's (pictured) service during the Second Anglo-Dutch War included covering the retreat at the Four Days Battle, and then leading the attack at the St. James's Day Battle?
... that Sir Charles Knowles claimed that the theories on naval tactics expressed in his 1777 book were reflected in Lord Howe's victory in 1794 (pictured)?
... that Sir Charles Knowles successfully sued Tobias Smollett for libelling him in Smollett's magazine The Critical Review?
... that William Prowse joined the Royal Navy as an able seaman, saw action at the Glorious First of June, Cape St Vincent, Cape Finisterre and Trafalgar, and died a Rear-Admiral?
... that Captain Thomas Dundas's ship, HMS Naiad, towed the crippled HMS Belleisle through a gale to safety after the Battle of Trafalgar?
... that when refused leave to go to London with the order that he could only travel as far on land as he could get in his barge, Captain Henry Paulet put the barge on a cart and went anyway?
... that Royal Navy frigate HMS Castor was captured by the French in 1794, but was retaken (pictured) just 20 days later?
... that when only given enough money to paint half his ship, John Phillimore protested by asking the Navy Board which half they wished him to paint?
... that Captain George Murray led Nelson's fleet at the attack on Copenhagen using knowledge he had gained from surveying the area a decade earlier?
... that sightings of Captain Cook were common around New Zealand as late as the 1950s?
... that American inventor and engineer Robert Fulton negotiated a bounty of £40,000 for the first decked ship destroyed in the Raid on Boulogne in 1804?
... that George Collier (pictured) was shipwrecked, rescued, and then taken prisoner when his rescuer was captured by a privateer?
... that HMS Spitfire captured at least nine French privateers and small naval vessels during a four year period under the command of Michael Seymour?
... that bomb vessels in the Royal Navy (example picture) have tended to be named after volcanoes, or things associated with fire or Hell?
... that despite a career lasting only four years, HMS Jason managed to capture (one engagement pictured) at least six French warships, including two that went on to become Royal Navy vessels?
... that all four of the Royal Navy's Bulldog class survey vessels were built by Brooke Marine?
... that Sir Robert Kingsmill (pictured) was commander of the Royal Navy's Irish station during two French attempts to invade Ireland, in 1796 and in 1798?
... that naval historian William James declared that HMS Seine's victory over the French ship Vengeance (pictured) showed that British ships were "more potent than American thunder"?
... that 14-year-old Raymond Steed (pictured) was the youngest person in the British services to die in battle during the Second World War, when his ship SS Empire Morn was damaged by a mine?
... that the Royal Navy accepted Gay Viking and Gay Corsair into their service during the Second World War, with another 12 Gay class fast patrol boats joining in the 1950s?
... that after an engagement (pictured) initiated by HMS Cleopatra, captained by Sir Robert Laurie, the larger French frigate Ville de Milan captured her attacker, but was so badly damaged in the battle that both ships were later captured in turn by HMS Leander?
... that Charles Elphinstone Fleeming was once challenged to a duel by his former subordinate, Charles John Napier?
... that the Royal Navy has tended to name its fireships (examples pictured) after subjects related to volcanoes or fire?
... that at the Battle of Pulo Aura, a fleet of East Indiamen under Commodore Nathaniel Dance fought off an entire French squadron?
... that Horatio Nelson called Skeffington Lutwidge, his commander on two separate occasions, 'that good old man'?
... that Captain Thomas Baker played a significant role in bringing about three battles during the Napoleonic Wars: Copenhagen, Trafalgar, and Cape Ortegal?
... that despite the decisive action of the Trafalgar Campaign being the Battle of Trafalgar (Battle of Trafalgar painting|pictured), the final action was fought a fortnight later, at the Battle of Cape Ortegal?
... that HMS Centurion had to be sent back to Britain for repairs in 1804, partly because she was infested with termites?
... that George Nicholas Hardinge served as a midshipman aboard HMS St Fiorenzo in 1793, a ship he would die commanding fifteen years later?
... that despite being armed en flûte as a troopship, HMS Wilhelmina still engaged and drove off a more heavily armed privateer to protect the merchant she was escorting?
... that despite his father calling him 'the flower of my fleet', Fleetwood Pellew (pictured) still managed to provoke two mutinies and spent thirty years on half-pay?
... that HMS Pique's service with the Royal Navy lasted for just three years after her capture in 1795 by HMS Blanche?
... that one of the ships of the Astraea-class of protected cruiser (example pictured) built in the early 1890s survived into the 1940s?
... that Captain James Lind was knighted after the Battle of Vizagapatam (pictured), despite losing both merchants he was escorting?
... that jolly boats were carried on practically all types of warships of the Royal Navy during the age of sail, from ships of the line down to brigs?
... that Edward Riou (pictured) sailed with Cook, survived his ship hitting an iceberg, but died by being nearly cut in two aboard HMS Amazon at Copenhagen?
... that Thomas Bertie was one of three future admirals who served together on HMS Seahorse in 1773, the others being Horatio Nelson and Thomas Troubridge?
... that while in Boston in 1768, sailors and marines from HMS Romney tried to confiscate a merchant vessel belonging to John Hancock?
... that HMS Lively won five battle honours during the Second World War, despite a career lasting less than a year from commissioning to being sunk?
... that HMS Canopus (pictured) served for less than six months for the French Navy, and then for 89 years for the Royal Navy?
... that Samuel Sutton joined HMS Monarch as an able seaman in 1777, and twenty-one years later was commanding her as a flag captain?
... that Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Martin was the grandson of another admiral of the fleet, William Rowley?
... that Vice-Admiral Sydney Fremantle was assigned to guard the German High Seas Fleet, but had taken his ships out on exercises when the German fleet was scuttled in Scapa Flow?
... that Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Cloberry Christian (pictured) was given command of the largest troop convoy to leave England, but twice had it forced back to port by severe gales?
... that during the mutiny at the Nore, Captain William Hotham and Admiral Adam Duncan had to imitate an entire British fleet with just two ships?
... that at the Battle of Cape Finisterre HMS Malta forced the surrender of one Spanish ship, and sent her boats to take possession of another?
... that when Captain Robert Corbet suggested that captains be allowed to flog lieutenants, Rear-Admiral Edward Buller (pictured) declared that admirals should therefore flog captains?
... that the French captured HMS Castor in 1794, only to have her retaken 20 days later by HMS Carysfort?
... that Captain Charles Lydiard died in the wreck of his ship (pictured) when he became exhausted after trying to ensure that as many of his crew as possible were saved?
... that Royal Navy Admiral Lawrence Halsted was the son of a naval captain, married the daughter of an admiral, and was the father of a vice-admiral?
... that the Battle for Lake Tanganyika involved an expedition dragging two motor boats through Africa, led by a man who was "court-martialled for wrecking his own ships, an inveterate liar and a wearer of skirts"?
... that HMS Fifi, a German warship captured and added to the Royal Navy during the First World War, was named to mean 'tweet-tweet' in French?
... that John MacBride (pictured) defeated Hercules and Mars in a single battle?
... that James Wilkes Maurice defended Diamond Rock (pictured) for three days in 1805 until surrendering due to water and ammunition shortages?
... that Captain Isaac Coffin rescued a man from drowning while commanding HMS Alligator, but injured himself in doing so?
... that John Lawford was the only captain who fought at Copenhagen in 1801 to receive an honorary reward specifically for his actions during the battle?
... that Admiral Sir Francis Wheler's mangled body was washed up two days after the loss of his flagship HMS Sussex in 1694?
... that one of the French ships captured at the Battle of Cape Ortegal in 1805 went on to serve the Royal Navy for 144 years?
... that Captain Richard Bowen (pictured), commanding the 32-gun HMS Terpsichore, attacked the largest warship in the world at the time, the 136-gun Santísima Trinidad?
... that in capturing the Spanish frigate Santa Dorotea Captain Manley Dixon had two men wounded on his ship, compared to 20 killed and 32 wounded on the Santa Dorotea?
... that after exhausting his shot fighting a privateer for two days, Commander Hugh Downman of HMS Speedy was reduced to firing nails at his opponent?
... that the broadside of the 14-gun brig HMS Speedy was so slight, Commander Lord Thomas Cochrane was able to put it all in his pockets?
... that after his ship was torpedoed, Captain Maurice Swynfen Fitzmaurice was picked up from the water, apparently with his monocle still firmly in place?
... that Admiral John Elliot transported the members of the Carlisle Peace Commission to North America?
... that the destroyer HMS Thanet evacuated Hong Kong on 8 December 1941, just hours after the Japanese began their attack?
... that Captain George Eyre narrowly escaped death in 1812, when he was hit in the head by a musket ball and three others passed through his clothes?
... that the superior design of HMS Princess, a former Spanish ship captured (pictured) in 1740, led to the Admiralty initiating a series of increases in British warship dimensions?
... that HMS Alcmene's surgeon for nearly five years was William Beatty, who in 1805 attended the dying Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar?
... that John Sheridan commanded the bomb vessel HMS Terror during the Battle of Baltimore, the action that inspired the writing of the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner"?
... that Horatio Nelson described Captain George Elliot as one of the best officers in the navy?
... that the capture of the French frigate Modeste by the British in the neutral port of Genoa in 1793 created a diplomatic incident?
... that Lord George Paulet (pictured), commanding officer of HMS Carysfort, occupied the Hawaiian Islands for five months in 1843?
... that with most of the British fleet immobilised by the mutiny at the Nore, HMS Adamant was one of only two two-decker warships available to blockade the Dutch fleet in 1798?
... that Jürgen Wattenberg twice escaped from captivity, at first after the scuttling of the pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, and then after the sinking of U-162?
... that despite being dismissed from the navy for disobeying orders, James Walker returned to fight at Camperdown and Copenhagen, and died a rear-admiral?
... that among the ships fighting at Trafalgar (pictured) were the British HMS Neptune, the French Neptune and the Spanish Neptuno?
... that Sir Thomas Troubridge lost his right leg and left foot at the Battle of Inkerman, but refused to leave the field until the battle had been won?
... that Rear-Admiral Ernest Troubridge (pictured) was court-martialed for his failure to successfully engage the German warships SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau?
... that Russian Rear-Admiral Andrei Alexandrovich Popov (pictured) designed two circular battleships and a yacht for the Romanovs?
... that HMS Concorde, a former French ship, was involved in the capture of the French frigates Engageante and Virginie, and almost captured the Bravoure?
... that by the time of his death in 1847, Vice-Admiral William Young had spent 70 years serving in the Royal Navy?
... that Admiral Sir William Young's clashes with Lord Cochrane led to Frederick Marryat including Young in a novel as 'Sir Hurricane Humbug'?
... that Admiral Sir John Byng was executed by firing squad on the quarterdeck of HMS Monarch?
... that after failing to engage two French warships, Captain Savage Mostyn demanded that he be tried by court-martial?
... that Commodore William Martin threatened to reduce Naples to ashes unless King Charles agreed to his demands?
... that on the morning of the Battle of Trafalgar, Horatio Nelson recalled the anniversary of the Battle of Cap-Français, which his uncle had fought on the same day, 48 years previously?
... that after his acquittal at a court martial for the loss of HMS Greenwich, Captain Robert Roddam (pictured) had the minutes printed, but was told they would have sold better had he been 'condemned to be shot'?
... that the president of the court martial for Sir Hugh Palliser, Admiral Sir Thomas Pye, had himself been court martialled earlier in his career?
... that Captain Anthony Molloy's court martial and disgrace following the Glorious First of June was attributed by some to a curse from a woman he had dishonoured?
... that Captain James Young's capture of a Spanish frigate in 1799 (illustrated) brought each of his seamen the equivalent of ten years pay in prize money?
... that the cruiser SMS Bremse was scuttled at Scapa Flow in 1919, but was salvaged a decade later by Ernest Cox?
... that a clinical trial on the treatment of scurvy was conducted in as early as 1747 aboard the 50-gun warship HMS Salisbury?
... that HMS Chatham was laid down at Flushing, in Holland, and launched at Woolwich, in England?
... that HMS Aeolus was involved in the pursuit of USS Constitution and the capture of USS Nautilus, the first warship lost by either side in the War of 1812?
... that Captain Philemon Pownoll (pictured), killed in battle in 1780, was a mentor for future admirals Sir John Borlase Warren and Sir Edward Pellew?
... that a real Bastard commanded Africa in the nineteenth century?
... that Europe was ruled by a child during the American Revolutionary War?
... that George Johnstone was a Royal Navy officer, an MP, a director of the East India Company, a member of the Carlisle Peace Commission and the first Governor of West Florida?
... that Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson wrote a personal letter to Lieutenant Charles Inglis congratulating him for his part in the action of 31 March 1800?
... that the French ship of the line Censeur was captured during the Battle of Genoa in 1795 after coming to the assistance of a damaged ship?
... that Captain Charles Inglis (pictured) helped frustrate a planned French invasion of Britain?
... that among the many children of Thomas Cochrane, 8th Earl of Dundonald were inventors, clergymen, civil servants, Members of Parliament, army officers and admirals?
... that HMS Prince William was named for the future King William, who was present at the engagement she was captured in?
... that Salusbury Pryce Humphreys commanded HMS Leopard during the Chesapeake–Leopard Affair in 1807?
... that Admiral Samuel Goodall fought in three wars, seeing action at Ushant, the Saintes, Genoa and the Hyères Islands?
... that Captain Cedric Holland was sent with the British terms for the surrender of the French fleet prior to the attack on Mers-el-Kébir?
... that during his life Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov (pictured) defeated an Ottoman fleet, seduced a princess, bred horses and chickens, and is alleged to have murdered a Tsar?
... that Francis Cotes's portrait of Edward Knowles (pictured) was painted after Knowles had disappeared at sea?
... that Andrew Marvell wrote poems accusing Vice-Admiral Sir William Berkeley of cowardice, even after Berkeley's death in battle?
... that Sir Peter Lely's series of portraits, the Flagmen of Lowestoft (example pictured), commemorates English naval commanders who fought at the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665?
... that after killing a man in a duel over dogs, Captain James Macnamara asked naval officers including Viscounts Hood and Nelson, Lord Hotham, Sir Hyde Parker and Sir Thomas Troubridge, to testify on his behalf?
... that Captain William Lechmere missed the chance to command a ship at the Battle of Trafalgar by a single week?
... that J. M. W. Turner's painting of HMS Temeraire (pictured) has been voted Britain's favourite painting?
... that Captain Thomas Fortescue Kennedy was first-lieutenant of HMS Temeraire at Trafalgar in 1805, and her last commander at Sheerness in 1838?
... that Thomas Eyles's service in the invasion of France brought his promotion to post-captain, despite the expedition's ultimate failure?
... that Captain Edward Sneyd Clay lost his ship when his pilot and master mistook a burning lime kiln for a signal light?
... that despite failing to defend a convoy (engagement pictured), and having one of his ships wrecked, Robert Linzee still rose to be an admiral in the Royal Navy?
... that Captain Joseph Spear married two women named Grace Grant?
... that The Naval and Military Magazine warned that people might not like the cut of Sir Henry Heathcote's jib?
... that the only death in the Action of 5 November 1813 (pictured) was accidental?
... that the cargo ship MV Spiegelgracht ferries luxury yachts from Europe to the Caribbean and back every year, allowing their owners to cruise in both summer and winter?
... that Sir John Hill was tasked with preparing HMS Temeraire for sale and disposal, an event depicted by J. M. W. Turner in The Fighting Temeraire (pictured)?
... that Deptford Dockyard (pictured) built and refitted ships for Cook, Vancouver, Bligh and Nelson, Drake was knighted there and Peter the Great was a visitor?
... that the wreck of the SS Port Nicholson, a British merchant ship sunk in 1942 by U-87, (pictured) is reported to contain £2 billion worth of precious metals?
... that Sir Peter Lely's depiction of naval officer Sir Jeremiah Smith (pictured) has been called "one of the finest portraits of the age"?
... that Admiral Jonathan Faulknor's grandfather, father, son, two brothers, nephew and grandson were all naval officers?
...that Captain Thomas Fortescue Kennedy was first-lieutenant of HMS Temeraire at Trafalgar in 1805, and her last commander at Sheerness in 1838?

... that Royal Navy officer Charles Phipps combined a parliamentary career with commanding ships in the American War of Independence?

... that in 1815 Napoleon surrendered to Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland of HMS Bellerophon, the ship that had "dogged his steps for more than twenty years", ending the Napoleonic Wars?

... that naval officer Samuel Warren served in European waters in the American War of Independence, the West Indies in the French Revolutionary Wars, and the East Indies in the Napoleonic Wars?

... that in 1786, Prince William Henry, a naval officer and future king, entered Edward Hawker onto his ship's books when Hawker was just four years old?

... that Augustus Brine's portrait (pictured) was painted by John Singleton Copley when Brine was a thirteen-year-oldmidshipman?

... that John Halsted kissed King George IV's hand twice, once when George was Prince Regent, and once as a monarch?

... that Admiral John Ferrier had friendships with Lord Exmouth and the Duke of Wellington, and served under Nelson, who called Ferrier "as steady as old Time himself"?

... that like William Bligh of the Bounty, naval officer John Bligh experienced a mutiny during his time in command?

... that naval officer James Coutts Crawford served in three sieges in the American War of Independence, once as part of the besieging forces (Charleston) and twice as a defender (Savannah and Gibraltar)?

... that fifty years ago today, Harold Macmillan (pictured) dismissed seven members of his Cabinet, an event known as the Night of the Long Knives?

... that King George III called James Luttrell (pictured), captain of HMS Mediator at the action of 12 December 1782, "the best of [a] strange family"?