Ships, seafarers & life at sea
London was a port as long ago as 55 BC when the Romans landed in Britain.
The Great Eastern, launched in 1858, was a huge steam ship designed by the brilliant engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Cut off from normal life on shore for months, even years, sailors had to accept cramped conditions, disease and poor food and pay.
Load lines are painted on the side of ships to show how low it may safely rest in the water.
Thousands of pirates were active 1650-1720. These years are sometimes known as a 'Golden Age' of piracy.
In the time of Queen Victoria, Britain was the world's leading industrial nation.
For thousands of years people have wanted to move on water. Boats and ships have been used to fish, travel, explore, trade and fight.
The time in history known as the Viking Age began in the late 8th century and lasted for about 300 years.
The magnetic compass is the oldest instrument for navigation and has been a vital tool for navigators at sea for centuries.
Why was the Titanic built? Why was she called 'unsinkable' and what happened to her? Find out the answers to these questions and more.
Alan Villiers' photography records early-20th century maritime history when merchant sailing vessels or 'tall ships' were in rapid decline.
Some amazing facts about the history of tattoos.