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Soldier, Sailor |
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The story of some of the most dramatic naval battles in British history through the voices of ordinary sailors who took part in them.
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Soldier, Sailor
 Listen to the latest programme
An informative and imaginative series about the rise and career of the British common sailor over three centuries from the Armada to Trafalgar.
Four programmes telling the story of some of the most dramatic naval battles in British history through the voices of ordinary sailors who took part in them - climbing the rigging, sweeping deck, manning the guns.
We go on board with the English fleet hounding the Spanish Armada; we watch in horror as the Dutch sail up the River Medway threatening invasion; we listen to the agonies of a wounded seaman who has helped to secure a great victory at Porto Bello in Panama; and we share the triumph and tragedy on board Nelson's ship at Trafalgar.
Sour Beer
Martin Peasgood is the bosun's mate on the Elizabeth Jonas sent out to chase the Spanish Armada in 1588. With commentary from historians Ian Friel and Maria Rodriguez-Salgado.
Performed by Nicholas Woodeson.
Find out more about this programme (26/11/2003)
The Dutch Attack on the Medway
Less than a hundred years after the Armada Britain came far nearer to being invaded with catastrophic consequences and yet the Dutch attack on Chatham and the River Medway in 1667 is hardly known these days.
Find out more about this programme (03/12/2003)
The Capture of Porto Bello
Captain Jenkins was a merchant sailor who had lost an ear to a brutal Spanish coastguard. In 1739 as part of the war of Jenkin's Ear, six ships commanded by Admiral Vernon sought revenge.
Find out more about this programme (10/12/2003)
Trafalgar
We follow the minute by minute fortunes of the ship's surgeons' mate who shared Nelson's home county of Norfolk and who is troubled with premonitions of death.
Find out more about this programme (17/12/2003)
Listen to this programme (17/12/2003)
Selected Reading
The Price of Admiralty
by John Keegan,
Hutchinson
A History of Warfare
by John Keegan,
Pimlico
Who's Who in Military History: From 1453 to the Present Day
by John Keegan and Andrew Wheatcroft,
Routledge
Seamanship in the Age of Sail
by John Harland, Mark Myers (Illustrator),
Conway's History of Sail
The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Naval Battles
by Richard Russell Lawrence (Ed),
Carroll & Graf
Useful Links
National Army Museum
National Maritime Museum
Imperial War Museum
Sea Britain 2005
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