The Story Of The Royal Navy (6 Disc) DVD

The King's Ships: 1500-1599The story begins with the creation of a Royal Navy under orders of the powerful King Henry VIII with ships such as GREAT HARRY and MARY ROSE. We follow the daring exploits of Sir Francis Drake's GOLDEN HINDE and the revolutionary innovations of John Hawkins' race-built Galleons. Finally, the climactic showdown with Spain's Invincible Armada in 1588 laid the groundwork for the dramatic rise of English naval power and Britannia's Rule of the Seas in the years to come.Wooden Walls: 1600-1805During the 17th century, the Royal Navy's codification... of naval tactics in 'The Fighting Instructions' transformed naval battles from uncontrollable melees into linear chess games on water. The Royal Navy's MIGHTY WOODEN WALLS confronted the great Dutch Admirals in decisive battles that sustained Britain's naval might. However, superior French ship design and military training helped to free America, threatening to topple England from the pinnacle of naval power. A revolution in naval tactics saw Admiral Nelson triumph aboard HMS VICTORY at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, and Britain's mastery of the waves was re-established.Steam, Steel and Dreadnoughts: 1806-1918Following the surprising setbacks of the War of 1812, the 19th century was a time of unchallenged mastery for the Royal Navy. Technical innovations developed at an alarming rate, with muzzle-loading cannon replaced by powerful breech-loaders mounted in revolving armoured turrets, and mighty wooden walls replaced by iron and steel as sail gave way to steam power. A super-ship named the DREADNOUGHT was launched in 1906 which, under the first Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, sparked a naval arms race with Germany. Ironically, the expense and complexity of the Dreadnought ultimately led to Britain's naval downfall.The Sun Never Sets: 1919-PresentThe beginning of WWII saw Britain paying the price of the Naval Treaty limitations which allowed Germany and Japan to secretly build larger and more powerful ships. Following the long fight back and ultimate victory in WWII, the downsizing of the armed forces and decline of the British Empire signaled the end of the Royal Navy as a world force. However, the Falklands War in 1982 once again demonstrated its continuing resolve and effectiveness. Today, with her nuclear missile submarines and jump-jet carriers, the Royal Navy remains a powerful reminder of the extraordinary centuries when Britannia ruled the waves.HMS VictoryIt was at the centre of one of the most famous naval conflicts of all time, the Battle of Trafalgar. From its decks, Admiral Nelson oversaw the destruction of the combined Spanish and French fleets - even as he met his own death. HMS VICTORY remains in the service of the Royal Navy some 200 years after its moment of glory. From this unrivalled historical backdrop, discover what it was like to serve on one of these 'Wooden Worlds', as dramatic reconstructions take us into the heat of the fierce battles of the age of sail. Then, see how much has changed in two centuries with a tour of the HMS MANCHESTER, one of Britain's most modern warships.MS DasherIt came without warning. On March 27, 1943, the British aircraft carrier HMS DASHER had completed two days of takeoff and landing exercises and was just an hour and a half from port. Suddenly, there was a terrific explosion, shaking the ship and propelling the two-ton landing crane 60 feet into the air. Within minutes, HMS Dasher was sinking. Most of those who made it off the ship were consumed by a sea of flames, as aviation fuel and diesel burned around them. The fate of the carrier has been shrouded in secrecy for over half a century, but now finally the official report has been challenged. [show more]

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