#royal navy history

[tristanaef]

Franklin Expedition Service Records

I have finished transcribing the service records I used for my Franklin Careers project. You can find all the transcriptions on my Franklin Expedition page:

ADM 196/4/181. “Capt Sir John Franklin.”

ADM 196/4/220. “Com Jas. Fitzjames.”

ADM 196/4/373. “Lieut. Graham Gore.”

ADM 196/5/124. “Lieut. Edward Little.”

ADM 196/8/548. “John Smart Peddie.”

ADM 196/8/579. “Stephen Samuel Stanley.”

ADM 196/68/548. “Chas H. Osmer.”

Note that some of these are only officer service records. The midshipman service records are elsewhere.

These service records are all property of The National Archives, Kew, and were obtained from the digital service collection Royal Navy officers’ service records 1756-1931. Transcriptions published under the Open Government Licence (OGL) per The National Archives image reproduction guidelines.

[bantarleton]

8 Dec 1914, Royal Navy defeats German East Asia Squadron in Battle of the Falkland Islands in S Atlantic. British battlecruisers outgunned opponents & could outrun them. 6 of 8 German ships sunk. 1,871 killed including Vice-Adm Spee & his 2 sons. 215 captured. 10 British killed.

[jamesfitzjamesdotcom]

WAKE UP, NEW FRANKLIN EXPEDITION ARTIFACTS JUST DROPPED

Hoar's journal/book. Such a gorgeous cover!

Eyeglass found in what is presumed to be Le Vesconte's cabin.

Bracing myself for the day I get jumpscared by Fitzjames items. By now I feel like I'm family and should be notified in advance.

See the other two items here:

[livesunique]

Shabab Oman II

Courtesy of The Royal Navy of Oman

[illustratus]

The Old Superb by Montague Dawson

[ltwilliammowett]

Midshipman's Frock, Royal Naval uniform: pattern 1748-58

The midshipman's frock also features a stand up collar of blue wool lined with white velvet, which would often have been removed and re-attached. For example, in cold or inclement weather, the collar would have been sewn on to the coat as a stand-up collar. If it was not needed in this way it could be re-attached as a turn-down collar. This was standard practice with most 18th-century clothing - lace and buttons were constantly being removed from one garment and re-applied to another. The midshipman would have been no stranger to stitching.

[usafphantom-3]

Swordfish Mk. I of 820 Naval Air Squadron flies over the British aircraft-carrier HMS ‘Ark Royal’ in 1939.

@ron_eisele via X

[neylo]

Before Trafalgar

As you noticed I have been experimenting with a new drawing style. I found inspiration in 1700s and 1800s coloured drawings and I used your requests as an inspiration. Thank you!

Here we have the results - Horatio Nelson in his HMS Victory cabin. I have visited HMS Victory last Friday and I loved it. Then I saw my partner standing there, listening to their audio guide… so I grabbed the pose and used it as a reference.

Nelson’s features are based on his life mask so I’m very satisfied with the accuracy of the picture!

[burningvelvet]

dear everyone on the piratecore/maritime/nautical/age of sail/gay/british/history/ocean sides of tumblr: i finally watched master and commander (2003) and this is yet another piece of media where i thought everyone on here was exaggerating about how good it is or about the queer vibes but once again i stand corrected on both accounts. it also has the vibe of a tv show and i wish it was because i want more & may have to read the books now.

also RIP stephen maturin you would have done numbers here on tumblr hyperfixating about lizards and ranting about politics

[scrapironflotilla]

A British sailor throwing a lance bomb from a Royal Navy Drifter.

The lance bomb is exactly what it looks like. roughly 15 kilos of explosives on the end of a stick, to be thrown directly at a submarine that has surfaced alongside a ship.

Apparently one thrown from the small auxiliary ship the HMS Gleaner of the Sea (a repurposed fishing boat) hit the German submarine UB-13 and sank it in April 1916.

A Royal Navy Drifter similar to the HMS Gleaner of the Sea.

[tmcphotoblog]

On this Remembrance Sunday, we honor those who gave everything for our freedoms. Their courage, sacrifice, and resilience remain woven into the fabric of our lives. Let’s not just remember but strive to be worthy of what they defended. Thank you for all who have served and still serving today our country is in your debt.

[clove-pinks]

Joseph Mallord William Turner, Man of War.

[bantarleton]

Iconic.

[jamesfitzjamesdotcom]

Dissertation, Fitzertation!

Today I handed in my dissertation for the MA Naval History at the University of Portsmouth. I didn't have nearly enough words to tell the full Fitzjames story, but at least I now have a draft of the biography. After two years of doing the MA, I'm excited to now have more time to devote to writing the Fitzjames biography and the Fitzjames letters book. While also writing my FitzBarrow romance historical fiction on the side. 💕 The Fitzfuture is looking goooood!

I would also like to again say how much I appreciate the support I get from people. You guys keep me going. 🙏

[herprivateswe]

IWM (Q 73724) Cats were common, particularly on a ship or at a camp, where they could establish their territory and keep the population of rats and mice down. 'Pincher', the mascot of HMS VINDEX is shown sitting on the propeller of a Sopwith Camel carried by the ship.

[illustratus]

The Chase and Capture of the Pallas by John Bentham-Dinsale