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Cleopatra's Needle
Cleopatra's Needle is the obelisk that stands on the Thames Embankment in London. It was transported from Egypt to London in 1877.
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Matthew Flinders
Explorer Matthew Flinders was the first man to circumnavigate Australia and popularised the name 'Australia' in his book, Voyage to Terra Australis.
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The Syren and Shipping Illustrated
The Syren and Shipping Illustrated was a weekly journal for the merchant shipping industry, published 1887-1967.
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Greenwich Pensioners
Greenwich was once home to thousands of swash-buckling former sailors, some missing a limb or an eye but still wild men of the sea at heart.
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South Pole exploration: Sir Ernest Shackleton
In 1907, Ernest Shackleton embarked on an expedition to the South Pole aboard his ship Nimrod. He was almost successful, falling just 97 miles short.
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South Pole exploration: Robert Falcon Scott, 1901–04
In the early 20th century the race was on to reach the South Pole. Robert Falcon Scott led the first British expedition.
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Naval distinction lace
The gold lace on naval officers' uniforms has traditionally be used to indicate rank. But what are its origins?
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Port and starboard
Where 'left' and 'right' could lead to confusion, 'port' and 'starboard' are perfectly clear and unambiguous to a seafarer.