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.
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. [...]
October Meeting gets autumn season under way
As our October meeting gets autumn season under way Mark Barton's talk on Naval Duelling was a lively and fascinating introduction to the 2023/2024 programme. The preponderance of pistols over [...]
D-Day Story and LCT7074 Visit, 9 August 2023
Freelance historian and archaeologist Stephen Fisher gave us a fascinating talk on the history, recovery, restoration and display of Landing Craft Tank LCT7074 for our D-Day Story and LCT7074 visit. [...]
Maritime Simulation Centre visit, 5th July 2023
We were privileged to visit the Maritime Simulation Centre at Solent University where, after a short introduction to the centre's history and activities, we were shown the engineering control [...]
HMS Sultan visit, 14 June 2023
HMS Sultan welcomed Service veterans and enthusiasts from The Society for Nautical Research (South) for a visit to the Air Engineering (AE) and Marine Engineering (ME) Museums at HMS [...]
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.