In October 1941, HMS Ramillies was transferred to the 3rd Battle Squadron, based in Colombo, Ceylon, along with the three remaining sister ships of the Revenge class. This deployment demonstrated that the Revenge-class battleships were still valuable assets. Although no longer suitable for frontline duty, they excelled in performing a wide range of essential tasks with great efficiency.
Today we put HMAS Warramunga in the spotlight. Renowned for their speed and excellent sea-keeping abilities, she and her sister ships became highly regarded. During the Second World War, Warramunga served in the Pacific region as part of Task Force 74. She was later deployed in the Korean War. Her three drum boilers supplied steam... Continue Reading →
The decades leading up to the First World War saw the Royal Navy, under John Fisher, introduce various new types of weaponry. Among these innovations was the submarine, which became operational in 1901. The speed of its development following its introduction—due in part to Fisher's continued support—was remarkable. What began as an experimental vessel quickly evolved into a powerful weapon, playing a key role in the Royal Navy’s strategy.
Benjamin Hallowell Carew. Painting by John Hayter Family and Childhood: Though often referred to as Canadian, Hallowell's birthplace is debated. He was likely born in Boston, MA, where his father—a British Commissioner of the Board of Customs and Loyalist—faced mob attacks during the American Revolution, forcing the family to leave in 1776. They arrived in... Continue Reading →
Admiral James Saumarez, 1st Baron de Saumarez, was a British naval officer whose career spanned the American Revolutionary War, Napoleonic Wars, and beyond. He is best known for his leadership during the Second Battle of Algeciras in 1801. He was second-in-command at the Nile in 1798.
As press gangs terrorized British harbors, some sought alternatives for recruiting seamen.
On November 11, 1940, 21 British biplanes, Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers, took off from HMS Illustrious with one daring target in mind: the Italian fleet in Taranto. These “Stringbags,” often mocked for their outdated design, were about to make history.
HMS Ark Royal is arguably one of the most renowned aircraft carriers in history. Her short but proud and eventful career sadly came to an end on 13 November 1941 when she was torpedoed by U-81. This is the story of her demise.
HMCS Calgary had a storied career, sinking two German submarines and being the target of one of Germany's most infamous "Wunderwaffen"—the Henschel guided missile.
Who was Lord Horatio Nelson? What did he stand for? What did he believe in? Answering these questions in full would require lengthy biographies—and rightly so. One effective way to provide a legitimate short answer is to highlight a selection of quotes attributed to the man himself. So here they are …
Heart of Oak 