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Ship launching ceremonies
Launching ceremonies of times past were often more barbarous than the champagne tradition of today.
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Sailors' cap ribbons
The silk ribbons on a sailor’s cap came to be through both custom and regulation
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Battle of Trafalgar background
The Battle of Trafalgar took place on 21 October 1805. Find out what led up to the British attack on the Franco-Spanish fleet - and how Nelson laid the plans for victory.
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Longitude found: Nevil Maskelyne and the lunar method
Find out how the celebrated Astronomer Royal helped to solve the longitude problem
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Lady Emma Hamilton
The story of Emma Hamilton is one of female power and achievement in a man's world, against all odds.
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Traditional ways to determine a ship’s position
How did ships know where they were before seamen could get an accurate reading of their east/west location?
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HMS Victory
HMS Victory was Lord Nelson's flagship in his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Discover more about the history of the famous ship