We were taught to imagine Columbus’s arrival in America as a glorious moment in human history, a cornerstone of modern civilization. After all, isn’t the
Maritime History
(Un)Sinkable: The Puzzling Story of Concrete Ships
Concrete ships, concrete ships, concrete… I repeated the phrase a few times in my mind, each time sounding more and more improbable. After all, isn’t
How to Ship an Obelisk in Eight Steps (With Pictures)
The Victorian age was a heroic one, so much so that it produced an oversupply of heroes. Countless intrepid individuals roamed the Earth, scouring every
Bobbing Havens: Rescue Buoys of WWII
“I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin.” With these grave words, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced to the British Parliament in
Streamlined Ships: Sunk in a Dream
The 1930s were a dark age for the global economy, with pessimism pervading most levels of society. But as gloom descended upon mankind, a handful
When Push Comes to Shove: History of Tugboats
While many out there seldom notice the tiny speck of steel at the base of docking supertankers, some of us connoisseurs harbor a benign obsession
Beautiful Ocean Liners Sunk by Submarines (Part 2)
With their career often spanning over decades, ocean liners gather stories much like people do. Add to this their exotic journeys and the simmering political
Manila Galleons and the First Global Economy
The 15th century found the world in unprecedented upheaval. As the ancient Silk Roads crumbled down with the collapse of the Mongol Empire, the Ottomans
Cruise Ships of the Soviet Union
Ah, the Soviet Union – dazzling Mayday parades, heroic cosmonauts, indestructible cars, and luxury cruise vacations… Wait, what? Yes, luxury cruises. Despite a well-deserved Spartan
Chinese Junks: Emperors of the East
The Age of Sail – those three glorious centuries of European domination of the oceans – are considered by many on my side of the