Footnotes to history

Admiral Nelson was known for his ability to inspire those around him. It is therefore good to trip over solid evidence of him being supportive to […]

Volunteer Linda Batchelor came across the following entry from Barclay Fox’s Journal for October 1836 which brings together three well-known names. 10th Month 3. Captain Fitzroy […]

While researching the Ceuta papers, we came across this letter from Captain McLeod of HMS Antelope which piqued our curiosity. Who was this ‘unpleasant ship-mate’? Portsmouth […]

Document relating to the voyage of the Mystery lugger from Penzance to Melbourne (Aus)

While researching her article on Broad’s Ship Agents, Volunteer Linda Bachelor came across this lovely letter of thanks. It comes from Commander Robert Pettet of HMS […]

Many an envoy has been accused of ‘going native’ by ‘headquarters’ when they are merely seeing things from a different perspective. This elegantly written letter comes […]

William Bligh was one of the more controversial naval captains of the C19 navy. In 1789 he lost the Bounty to mutineers but went on to […]

One of the joys of scuffling around in the archives researching history is the odd stories that pop up from time to time. Small red herrings […]

The aftermath of the Battle of Trafalgar was a time that stretched already exhausted men and ships to the limit. As Collingwood reported ‘The fleet was […]

Wednesday May 1st 1765 Ordered that Mrs Statira Sherburne, Widow of Joseph Sherburne late Commander of His Majesty’s Packet Boat the Hanover unfortunately lost in December […]

Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood rarely gets the praise that he deserves for his part in the Battle of Trafalgar. A long-standing friend of Nelson’s, he was […]