Seapower - Ironclads DVD

As the Industrial Revolution clunked and hissed its way into life in the late 18th and early 19th centuries the possibilities new technologies brought were swiftly utilised by the armed forces of nations across the globe in particular the opportunity for new ship design. Though not famous for being a naval conflict the American Civil War was the first major battle of the Industrial Age and as such played host to what many naval analysts believe to be the most significant naval engagement in history - the battle between the Confederates' vessel Merrimack and the Union... ship the Monitor. While the battle itself was inconclusive the technology deployed would influence ship design from that time onwards - the day of the mighty wooden man-of-war was over and the age of the Ironclad was dawning. This programme goes aboard one of these new breed of ships the HMS Warrior - a ship so feared and respected that its mere the Golden Hinde is a living link to a bygone age of adventure which has inspired countless tales of privateers and Spanish gold. It was in ships like this that English pirate adventurers such as Drake and Hawkins preyed upon the vital bullion convoys en-route to Spain from the new world disrupting Spanish trade and weakening her grip on the low countries. These were the men who precipitated the conflict between England and Spain which was to presence in British waters was sufficient deterrent to all potential enemies so much so she has never fired a shot in anger. [show more]

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