As an American reading British Royal Navy history, I will admit to being initially confused, more than once, by “stone frigates“, naval establishments on land named as ships. HMS Collingwood, for example, is a stone frigate (shore establishment) of the … Continue reading
Rick Spilman
One hundred and five years ago today, Americans learned to be afraid of sharks. An updated repost. On the evening of July 1, 1916, Charles Vansant, 25, of Philadelphia was on vacation with his family at the beach-side resort town … Continue reading
The salvors attempting to cut up the shipwreck of the car-carrier Golden Ray have run into new problems. For the last seven months, the salvors have attempted to cut the ship up using a heavy-lift catamaran VB-10,000, nicknamed the “Golden … Continue reading
There will be some changes for anyone subscribing to the Old Salt Blog by email. We have been using Google’s Feedburner email feed, which, over the years, has worked more or less. Google, however, is discontinuing the Feedburner email feed … Continue reading
This weekend four tall ships participated in the Tall Ships Festival that this year is a part of the Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days which continues through July 2. Two of the tall ships, the privateer schooner Lynx and the schooner … Continue reading
The Corinth Canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea, was closed by a landslide in January. It was recently announced that the canal will remain closed to marine … Continue reading
In September 2020, we posted about the unveiling of an autonomous craft named Mayflower, after the Pilgrim’s ship of 1620. The post title posed the question, Autonomous Mayflower, Technological Breakthrough or Hazard to Navigation? Now that the 49-foot long trimaran … Continue reading
Commodore David Hughes, believed to be the Royal Navy’s oldest veteran, has died, just shy of his 107th birthday. An excerpt from the obituary on the Royal Navy website: The New Zealand-born officer was one of the last survivors of … Continue reading
Yesterday, more than 20 Russian aircraft and two coastguard ships shadowed the Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Defender, sailing near Crimea. Moscow’s defence ministry said a patrol ship fired warning shots and a jet dropped bombs in the path of HMS … Continue reading
The US Navy is having a problem with its Virginia-class fast attack submarines. Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker told the Senate Armed Services Committee that some parts are wearing out far faster than expected. The Navy has had to … Continue reading
Last October, the mightly dhow Obaid set sail from the Majid Obaid Bin Majid Al Falasi & Sons shipyard on Dubai Creek. The Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed Obaid as the largest wooden Arabic dhow in the world. … Continue reading
Following the Armistice of November 11, 1918, which ended fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I, the German High Seas Fleet of 74 ships was interned at Scapa Flow, in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. While the … Continue reading
Before chemical or petroleum-based sealants, tar made from pine trees had a myriad of uses; from protecting hemp ropes, lines, and cable from rot; to waterproofing canvas; for preserving wood; to being used as an antiseptic in chronic skin conditions. … Continue reading
Happy Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth National Independence Day is also the newest Federal holiday. The legislation, passed by both the House and Senate, was recently signed into law … Continue reading
The Maine Windjammer fleet was hit hard by the pandemic last summer. Most of the schooners didn’t sail and those that did offered fewer trips. As things return closer to normal, it is a good time to consider two of … Continue reading
We recently posted about Michael Packard, a Cape Cod diver, who found himself scooped up inside the mouth of a humpback whale. Most of the media reports used the term “swallowed” by the whale. If the word “swallow” is defined … Continue reading
Exciting news from the crew of the Barque Picton Castle. Full scholarships are now being offered to those accepted in the highly regarded Picton Castle’s Bosun School. From their announcement: Bosun School is going ahead this summer! We’re thrilled to … Continue reading
One hundred and seventeen years ago today, the disaster on General Slocum resulted in the largest loss of life in New York City prior to the attacks of 9/11/01. An updated repost. At around 9AM on June 15, 1904, approximately … Continue reading
A diver from Cape Cod, Massachusetts was gulped up and then spat out by a humpback whale feeding off the coast of Provincetown early Friday morning. The diver, Michael Packard, 56, of Wellfleet, was hunting for lobsters while about 45 … Continue reading
This seems like a good video for a summer Sunday — two 60-foot long whale kites flying over Delray Beach, Florida, flown by Randy “the Kite Man” Lowe. Video by Larry Richardson. When Whales Fly — Giant Kites Soar Over … Continue reading