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Eight men unloading 99 bags of mail at Colombo.
Blog Specialisms Units & Squadrons Interwar Navy Organisation British Special Service Squadron

The British Special Service Squadron - Journey to Singapore 1924

In this ongoing blog series, the National Museum of the Royal Navy is following the route of the British Special Service Squadron during the…

A conservator laser scanning images for the 3D model of HMS Victory.
Blog HMS Victory Napoleonic Ships and Aircraft

How can AI be used to conserve HMS Victory?

The conservation of an international icon like HMS Victory requires all-hands on deck, making use of both the tried-and-true historic techniques, and…

A deathwatch beetle on a human finger tip.
Blog HMS Victory 21st Century Napoleonic Ships and Aircraft

A close-up on HMS Victory’s smallest inhabitants: The deathwatch beetle

One of the biggest jobs in the conservation of HMS Victory concerns its smallest inhabitant. The conservation team at the National Museum of the…

Couple on top deck of HMS Caroline
Blog HMS Caroline First World War Ships and Aircraft

How to treat yourself to the best maritime adventure in Belfast

Beginning with all things Titanic and ending with Belfast’s fully restored First World War maritime marvel, HMS Caroline, discover why the Maritime…

A small craft welcomes HMS Dauntless to Delhi.
Blog Specialisms Units & Squadrons Interwar Navy Organisation British Special Service Squadron

British Special Service Squadron - January 1924

In this ongoing blog series, the National Museum of the Royal Navy is following the route of the British Special Service Squadron during the…

Mill Street in Freetown Sierra Leone.
Blog Specialisms Units & Squadrons Interwar Navy Organisation British Special Service Squadron

British Special Service Squadron 1923 - the first ports of call

December 8th, At Sea.  At 7am we sighted the West Coast of Africa, but owing to a low lying mist could not plainly discern the entrance to the…

Christmas onboard the Submarine HMS Sentinel
Blog Customs and Traditions 21st Century Early 20th Century Professional Navy Culture, Sport and Leisure

A history of Christmas traditions in the Royal Navy

Christmas is a time for friends, family, and merriment. But life can be different when you’re serving, as our collection at the National Museum of…

Map showing the route that the British Special Squadron will take.
Blog Specialisms Units & Squadrons Interwar Navy Organisation British Special Service Squadron

British Special Service Squadron - 27th November

‘27th November 1923. Got underway at 0945, started World Cruise, not touching at Plymouth.’ 

Scene from Ridley Scott's film Napoleon
Blog Stage and Screen Napoleonic Culture, Sport and Leisure

The truth behind Napoleon’s ‘meeting’ with the Duke of Wellington

Ridley Scott’s latest film, Napoleon, includes a scene that is sure to get a few history buffs talking: Wellington meeting Napoleon onboard HMS…

HMS Caroline in dock at Belfast
Blog HMS Caroline First World War Ships and Aircraft

Why you should be excited to go on an HMS Caroline guided tour

As HMS Caroline prepares to enter an exciting new phase of her life, we ask what makes a heritage experience truly great?

Dinner in the Great Cabin onboard HMS Victory. Credit NMRN
Blog Customs and Traditions Napoleonic Culture, Sport and Leisure

What is a Trafalgar Night Dinner?

Every October the Royal Navy celebrates the British Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar with a special event - the Trafalgar Night Dinner. But what…

Child runs down corridor aboard HMS Caroline in Belfast
Blog HMS Caroline First World War Ships and Aircraft

What makes HMS Caroline Belfast's best kept secret?

‘Best kept secret’ is often used to describe a well-trodden location located off the beaten track. It’s also a term that’s frequently overused and…

A bottle found in the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima
Blog Technology & Engineering Cold War Innovation and Exploration

Nuclear Testing and the Royal Navy - Unpacking the impact of High Explosive Research

Following the release of Christopher Nolan’s new film Oppenheimer, which has seen a renewed interest in the story of one of the most famous names…

A stage replicating the inside of a naval ship with a female actor dressed as a Royal Marine.
Blog Communities Trailblazers 21st Century Naval Lives

Pride Month 2023 - Should we assign meaning to 'hidden' identities?

To commemorate Pride Month the National Museum of the Royal Navy has produced a short series of blogs detailing the long and complicated history of…

HMT Empire Windrush alongside at Singapore, c1948 Credit NMRN
Blog Fleet Air Arm Second World War Navy Organisation

The 75th Anniversary of Windrush and their role in the armed forces

During the Second World War the British Empire contributed nearly 3 million personnel for military service. Among these were people from the West…

Royal Navy building lit up with rainbow lights.
Blog Communities Trailblazers 21st Century Naval Lives

Pride Month 2023 - Exploring LGBTQ+ history in the Royal Navy

To commemorate Pride Month the National Museum of the Royal Navy has produced a short series of blogs detailing the long and complicated history of…