Last Operational World War II Motor Boats Saved For The Nation Two of the last remaining fully operational high-speed World War II motor boats have been saved for the nation today by Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, with the help … Continue reading
Category Archives: Lore of the Sea
The physics here is fascinating. How is it possible that the America’s Cup challenger ”USA” can sail at 22 knots in only two knots of wind? Chuck Lantz of the Enquirer, explains how it is done. America’s Cup boatspeed – Making something out … Continue reading
Many ships carrying civilians were sunk during World War II by both sides. If current estimates are correct, the torpedoing of the M/V Wilhelm Gustloff resulted in the largest loss of life from the sinking of one vessel in maritime … Continue reading
The Scottish Maritime Museum is in dire financial straits. The City of Adelaide, the oldest (just barely) surviving composite clipper ship in the world, has been rotting on a slipway at Irvine, near Glasgow, for almost a decade because the museum lacked the funds to … Continue reading
Thanks to David Hayes for passing this along. There is something slightly frightening about sailors on a nuclear submarine receiving daily rum rations. Royal Navy Rum – issued daily to sailors 1655 to 1970 Alcohol and the Royal Navy often seem … Continue reading
This September, we posted about the popular and nearly ubiquitous “duck tours” using refurbished World War II DUKW amphibious trucks, or vehicles inspired by them, to take tourists on tours in cities and resorts around the world. (See From DUKWs … Continue reading
The New York Times Science section has a fascinating slide show discussing the scientific innovations behind the two sailboats competing in the America’s Cup. The science is intriguing but the photos are simply breathtaking. Innovations in America’s Cup Sailing … Continue reading
A follow-up to our previous post – Free Aircraft Carrier – ex USS John F Kennedy. Maine group in running for decommissioned JFK A nonprofit group in Maine says it’s still in the running to bring the decommissioned carrier John F. Kennedy … Continue reading
Abby Sunderland is putting into Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, interrupting her round the world attempt, because of a power problem aboard her yacht, Wild Eyes. The yacht’s solar panels and wind generators were not providing enough power and the yacht … Continue reading
In January we posted about the Jewel of Muscat a replica of a 9th-century sailing ship modelled on a famous Tang Treasure ship. Recently Nova broadcast a documentary on far older ships from the region, Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s ships, dating from 1479 BCE. … Continue reading
Not every historic vessel can be saved and not every historic vessel should be saved. The difficult question is deciding which are worthy of saving before they fall prey to the ravages of time or, in this case, the bureaucracy. A story from today’s Daily … Continue reading
After being under construction for almost a decade, the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush was accepted by the US Navy following final seatrials last Friday. Northrop Grumman delivers Bush aircraft carrier to Navy … Continue reading
In July of last year, Zac Sunderland, a 17-year-old from Southern California, became the youngest person to sail around the world alone. He held that tile for only about a month as the British 17 year old sailor, Mike … Continue reading
Delivery service for the remote island of St Helena The tiny British colony of St Helena in the South Atlantic – the world’s most remote inhabited island – is being hit by Whitehall’s spending cuts. An airport considered by many … Continue reading
A great story from the Yachtpals blog. Organized by the non-profit group Oceans Watch, a flotilla of at least a dozen yachts loaded with aid for Haiti, led by the 74 foot schooner Wolf, will set sail from Key West on February … Continue reading