Category Archives: Famous Ships
HMS Quebec vs Surveillante
On occasion combat at sea during the Age of Sail could be a display of sailhandling virtuosity, or a tour de force of surprise, which caused the enemy to strike with little bloodshed. More often than not, however, ship to … Continue reading
USS Vixen and HMS Southampton
On the morning of October 22, 1812 the USS Vixen, a brig armed with twelve 18-pound carronades, departed its base at St Mary’s, Georgia, for a 30-day cruise raiding British commerce in the Caribbean. Vixen was commanded by 32 year … Continue reading
HMS Glatton Takes On All Comers
We’ve observed on several occasions that many of the incidents in novels set during the Age of Sail are heavily influenced by actual events. In most cases, the novel’s protagonist expands on the accomplishments of the actual character. In Ramages’s … Continue reading
Captain Sir Henry Duncan at Anzio
Captain Sir Henry Duncan was the second surviving son of Captain, later Admiral, Adam Duncan, the victor at the Battle of Camperdown. Sir Henry came from a family with a seafaring tradition and went to sea in 1800 at age … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Famous Ships, Naval Biography, Naval Operations
The Loss of HMS Victory
On October 4, 1744 a British fleet led by HMS Victory carrying the flag of Admiral John Balchen encountered a ferocious storm in the Western Approaches of the English Channel. The fleet was dispersed with all ships arriving in port … Continue reading
Rear Admiral Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke
Success breeds complacency. Few things are more devastating to an effective military than a long period without significant challenge. The US Army discovered this brutal lesson in Korea. The British Navy discovered this in the War of 1812. By 1812 … Continue reading
