News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Our correspondent returns to the question of the Fleet Solid Support Ships, and points to the unprecedented nature of their proposed operation.

Ed. An extensive and personal investigation into the microhistory of HMS Wager, a W-class destroyer that operated with the British Pacific Fleet (BPF). Written for the 80^th Anniversary of VJ Day.

Ed. Our correspondent expands on his concerns regarding stocktaking and logistics with respect to the RFA Fleet Solid Supports Ship programme.

Ed. Originally published in 1949-1950, this three-part series on Admiral Charles Napier and his controversial command in the Baltic in 1854 during the Crimean War is here compiled as a complete text. Reproduced from the NR’s archives [37/4, p. 381; 38/1, p. 65; 38/2, p. 125]. A 60 minute read.

Ed. The author expands on Lt Cdr Lester May’s research concerning the victualling of a Dreadnought-class warship at the beginning of the 20^th century. The proliferation of commodities supplied representing without doubt a vast logistical undertaking. A 25 minute read.

Ed. The author investigates the perhaps surprising legacy of early 20^th century warship provisioning. While the cornucopia of commodities required to provision a Dreadnought-class battleship is to be expected, the long duration and haphazard nature of the victualing system emphasizes historical continuity and institutional ossification in an otherwise transformative era. A 30 minute read.