News, Articles and Comment

Ed. The author investigates the career of Admiral Sir Frederick Richards, who played a critical but little understood role in the late Victorian Navy. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent defends the value of Initial Sea Training (IST), and argues that reduction of fleet size is the fundamental reason ‘at sea’ training has been discarded for Officer Cadets.

Ed. The author revisits the issue of seablindness [112/2, p. 264], comparing the history of defence unification in the UK and US and taking stock of the situation today. A 30 minute read.

Ed. With the war in Ukraine escalating into a European ‘grey zone’ conflict, the author considers the First Sea Lord fit to the task of reestablishing Britain’s maritime role in terms of NATO strategy, recognition of a leadership situation different yet similar to that of the early 20th century. A 10 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers Professor Andrew Lambert’s masterful study of the development of British strategy from victory at Waterloo to the First World War.

Ed. The author, professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, employs historical analogy and common sense to solidify the case for totally autonomous naval platforms. Originally published in the USNI’s Proceedings, September edition. A 15 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a reprint of a biography of Admiral Beaufort, originally published in 2002.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers the 2025 edition of Osprey’s annual Warship publication, covering a diverse range of naval history topics.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book exploring the relationship of geography to seapower through the lens of the Western exploration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, and their subsequent incorporation into the British Empire.