News
Look here for news of what the Society for Nautical Research (South) has been doing lately. To find out about forthcoming attractions see our Events page.
A Grave Affair at Haslar Naval Cemetery
In what some would think a grave affair for a day our some of our members spent a fascinating day among the memorials of Haslar naval cemetery. From the [...]
Lifeboats Past and Present: 200 years of the RNLI
Noel Stimson’s talk on Lifeboats Past and Present was a very timely topic in the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year. Prompted by the wreck of SS Racehorse off the Isle [...]
March meeting discussed the sad end of an illustrious battleship
Our March meeting discussed the sad end of an illustrious battleship. In a packed session we took the unusual step of hearing the short talk first. This was Richard [...]
Cruiser HMCS Uganda: One Ship, Two Monarchs, Three Commissions
The cruiser HMCS Uganda was a modified Fiji class light cruiser which served with the Royal Navy in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and with the Royal Canadian Navy in [...]
December’s meeting featured Manning the Fighting Fleet and Researcher Beware!
A gratifyingly well attended meeting found much to enjoy and discuss. Richard Blake’s long experience of holding a class’s attention came through in a lively and interesting talk on [...]
November meeting featured postcards from the fleet in WW1
The November meeting featured postcards from the fleet in WW1. A brisk AGM was followed by Geoff Cunnington’s talk on Grand Fleet Lives: Picturing R.N. Sailors’ Postcards in WW1. [...]
May 2023 Meeting
Our main speaker was Jacob Thomas-Llewellyn on PLUTO – a successful failure. His talk was excellent both for content and delivery and sparked lively discussion afterward. Jacob holds a BA in War, Peace and International Relations and a master’s degree in strategic studies and has recently completed doctoral studies with the Department of History at the University of Reading. He has been published by the Independent, the Conversation and the Royal Logistic Corps. He has also advised and been interviewed by Michael Buerk as part of the Channel 5 documentary, How Britain Won WW2.
John Bingeman’s talk went far beyond its nominal subject of Vasa’s Whipstaff Steering circa 1628, covering illustrations of his and Jane’s rare privilege of an internal inspection of the ship and the corrosive effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on iron – a conservation issue relevant to the Mary Rose. Again, a brisk conversation followed.
April 2023 Meeting
Roger Smith gave a fascinating talk on Shinano – the brief story of the Biggest Carrier of WW2. She was converted from the hull of the third Yamato-class battleship mid-build and had a short, profitless life, setting an unhappy record on the way when she was sunk just seventeen hours into her maiden voyage. Roger’s gripping, moment-by-moment account gave a real feeling of ‘being there’.
Continuing the Far East theme, Derek Nudd had the unenviable task of following Roger with a chat about WW2 Japanese language training in the Royal Navy. When war struck the Pacific and Indian Oceans too many linguists were trapped in newly occupied territories, leaving the Allies deaf to enemy intentions. The story of their efforts to catch up has its own interest and provoked a lively follow-on discussion.