In 1625, Britain suffered one of its greatest naval blunders against Spain when a massive force of 100 ships and 15.000 men attempted to raid Cádiz and seize the Spanish treasure fleet. The campaign required a huge financial investment but ultimately yielded almost nothing in return. The failed expedition caused significant political backlash for King Charles I and his close advisor, the Duke of Buckingham. This episode arguably marked the beginning of the decline for the ill-fated Stuart king, whose popularity plummeted after the disastrous venture to Cádiz.

On 6 May 1801, a naval engagement occurred between the 14-gun brig HMS Speedy, commanded by Lord Cochrane, and the much larger 32-gun Spanish xebec-frigate El Gamo, commanded by Don Francisco de Torres. Despite El Gamo being four times the size of Speedy, with more than seven times its firepower and six times its crew, Cochrane achieved a feat that secured his place in the annals of naval history as one of the boldest commanders the seas had ever known: he captured the Spanish vessel through daring and cunning.

"The Resolution and Discovery arrived off Sheerness on October 4, 1780. Their return home was met with mixed emotions. While many rejoiced at the safe return of their loved ones, the nation mourned the loss of one of the greatest explorers it had ever produced."

"Smith’s actions resulted in the burning of nine French ships of the line. In total, the Republicans lost around 58 warships, both large and small, on that day. This made December 18th arguably the most destructive day in French naval history since Quiberon Bay."

HMS Triumph was a broadside ironclad battleship of the Victorian era and the sister ship to HMS Swiftsure. Together, these ships comprised the Swiftsure-class of 1870, specifically designed as flagships for distant stations, primarily to serve in the Pacific squadron.

Midshipmen, typically aged between 15 and 22, were the future officers of the Royal Navy. Upon them depended the future of the navy and their country.

The man responsible for keeping the ship battle-ready was the “gunner.” He belonged to the corps of warrant officers, which also included the carpenter, purser, and boatswain. These officers operated under a warrant, as opposed to the “commission” held by higher-ranked officers. The gunner, like the other warrant officers, was appointed by the Navy Board. His primary responsibility, as the title suggests, was managing the ship’s ordnance.