CSS Alabama and USS Kearsarge: Duel off the Coast of France
In June 1864, the American Civil War had been raging for three years, and merchant ships were increasingly becoming targets. For the previous two years,…
Against All Odds – When United States Revenue Cutter Eagle Defended Itself For Three Days
On October 11, 1814, the town of Riverhead, on Long Island, erupted with the sound of cannon fire. Iron balls whistled over the cliffs on…
Unexpected Consequences – How The Spanish-American War Improved American Food
America declared war on Spain in 1898. In the aftermath, the Spanish Empire came to an end, the US grew bigger, and the US Food…
How the Other Side Ate: Meals of Royal Naval Officers During The Napoleonic Wars
Officers of the Royal Navy at the turn of the 19th century were expected to live charmed and genteel lives. This was reflected in almost…
When The British Sank The French Fleet At Mers-el-Kebir To Stop It Falling Into German Hands
Unable to stop the German advance in Europe, British soldiers fled through the Port of Dunkirk with French help. Weeks later, the British thanked their…
Terrain – A Decisive Factor In Victory Or Defeat Throughout Military History
Whether used well by a skilled commander or ignored by a disastrous one, terrain can play a huge part in deciding the outcome of battles,…
Charge Of The Light Brigade: Britain’s most famous Military Disaster
Storm’d at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred…
The Many Lives Of A US Civil War Revenue Cutter Which Was Present At The Start Of The Civil War
Late in the day on April 11th, 1861, the ship Nashville was sailing past Charleston harbor. The crew could see a fleet of ships at…
USCGC Heriberto Hernandez, Named For A Coastguard Hero Who Was Killed In Vietnam
On October 16, 2015, the United States Coast Guard gained a new Cutter. The 154 foot Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter was named after a…
Although Steel Ruled The Waves, Wooden Boats Still Found A Place In WWII
The Second World War saw the advent of modern warfare. Navy fleets began using steel and aluminum aircraft to strike at one another. Submarines patrolled…
How An Explosion In Northern New Jersey Put 62,000 People Onto The Front Lines Of WW1
By October 1918, the 1st World War was winding down. It was clear to most observers that the Western Allies would be victorious. Life in…
Four Celebrities Who Risked Their Lives For Their Countries In Wartime
Many famous actors and entertainers achieved their fame on stage or in Hollywood, but some had eventful and remarkable lives before they entered the public…