Difference between revisions of "Maritime History"

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==General Links==
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[[image:Tallship.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Submitted by Guinevere]][[Category:General Reference]]
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[[Category:Military and Maritime History]]
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__TOC__
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<br><br>
 +
'''Sailors'''
 +
 
 +
The term sailor is commonly used to describe any man who went to sea, whether in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, Coastguards, Lifeboat Service, fishing fleet or as a pilot, privateer or a single boatman. If a man went to sea he was a sailor.
 +
 
 +
'''Mariners'''
 +
 
 +
The term mariner can be synonymous with sailor but is more likely to mean that the man was concerned with the navigation of the vessel. Master mariners were those skilled in navigation. A Master Mariner would probably have a Mate or Master's ticket and be on the Seaman's Register at the National Archives. Mariners would come under the umbrella heading of the Merchant Navy.
 +
 
 +
The main source for tracing details of merchant seamen and shipping, especially from the 18th century onwards, are the archives of the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS). These records are held in a number of places. Some are with the RSS in Cardiff, some with the [http://www.nmm.ac.uk/index.php National Maritime Museum] at Greenwich and [http://www.nas.gov.uk/default.asp National Archives of Scotland and Ireland]. However, the majority are held in The National Archives in Kew. These records are broken down into categories and an explanation of how these can be viewed can be found on [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=257&j=1 The National Archives].
 +
 
 +
Organised service records do not commence until 1835 when The Merchant Shipping Act of that year required masters of all ships to file Agreements and Crew Lists with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.
 +
 
 +
For those researching mariner ancestors who are experiencing difficulty locating them on the England and Wales census, [http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/UKCensuses.html Seamen on British Censuses] contains a good explanation of the requirements regarding enumeration and may assist in helping you to locate those missing people!
 +
 
 +
The [http://www.nmm.ac.uk/memorials/Index.cfm National Maritime Museum ~ Maritime Memorials] is another good source of information for those researching this field.
 +
 
 +
'''Also see [[Military Research]]'''
 +
<br><br>
 +
==General Information==
  
 
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.2594 National Maritime Museum's Guide to Researching Family History from Maritime Records]
 
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.2594 National Maritime Museum's Guide to Researching Family History from Maritime Records]
 +
 +
*[http://www.mariners-l.co.uk Researching the Mariners and Ships of the Merchant Marine and the World's Navies]
 +
 +
*[http://www.angelfire.com/de/BobSanders/Site.html Tracing British Seamen & their ships]
 +
 +
*[http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html UK Mariners Site - All Things Nautical]
 +
 +
*[http://www.boat-links.com/index.html  John's Nautical and Boatbuilding Pages]
 +
 +
*[http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Nautica.html The Maritime History Virtual Archives]
 +
 +
*[http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html Merchant Navy and Royal Navy Information]
 +
  
 
*[http://www.reach.net/~sc001198/Lloyds.htm Lloyds Register of Ships 1764-2003]
 
*[http://www.reach.net/~sc001198/Lloyds.htm Lloyds Register of Ships 1764-2003]
Line 7: Line 42:
 
*[http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capintro.htm Index to Lloyds Captains' Register]
 
*[http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capintro.htm Index to Lloyds Captains' Register]
  
*[http://rmhh.co.uk/mariners.html UK Mariners Site- Links For All Things Nautical]
+
*[http://www.eogen.com/CensusRecordsUK Vessels & Enumeration in Census Records]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.hotkey.net.au/~jwilliams4/mariner9.htm Index of Ships' Captains] Australia and New Zealand
  
*[http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html Late 18th, 19th and early 20th Century Naval and Naval Social History]
+
*See also [[Emigration_and_Immigration|'''Emigration and Immigration''']] for Shipping Lists and more Maritime Resources.
  
*[http://www.boat-links.com/index.html  John's Nautical and Boatbuilding Pages] Lots of links
 
  
*[http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Nautica.html The Maritime History Virtual Archives]
+
*'''[[World War One]]'''
  
*[http://www.eogen.com/CensusRecordsUK Vessels & Enumeration in Census Records]
+
*'''[[World War Two]]'''
  
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/memorials/ Maritime Memorials For Those That Perished at Sea]
 
  
*[http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/ The Ocean Liner Virtual Museum]
 
  
*[http://perso.orange.fr/cdasm.56/dico.htm Dictionary of Disasters at Sea 1824 - 1962] Although this is a French site, the Dictionary is in English. It includes steam ships, sailing ships and ships of war lost in action.
+
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_magazine&func=show_edition&id=15&Itemid=90 Family Tree Forum Online Magazine ~ Volume Two: April 2008] had a nautical theme.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
==Old Nautical Terms==
+
==The Royal Navy==
 +
 
 +
*'''[[The Royal Navy]]'''
 +
<br><br>
 +
==The Merchant Navy==
  
*[http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/seamansgrammar/index.html The Seaman's Grammar and Dictionary, 1691]
+
====Merchant Navy Records====
  
*[http://www.bruzelius.info/nautica/Etymology/English/Lever(1808).html  Lever's 1908 Dictionary of Sea Terms]
+
*'''[[Military_Research#Merchant_Navy_Research|Records of Merchant Seamen]]'''
  
*[http://www.pbenyon1.plus.com/KR&AI/Abbreviations.html Kings Regulations & Admiralty Instructions - 1913. Abbreviations ]
 
<br><br>
 
  
==The Royal Navy==
+
*[http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100p005004 How to trace Merchant Navy personnel]
  
'''[http://www.familytreeforum.com/wiki/index.php/The_Royal_Navy See separate pages]'''
+
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.569 How to trace Merchant Mariners, mates and engineers who served in the Merchant Navy]
  
<br><br>
+
*[http://www.crewlist.org.uk/Merchant seafarers on British registered ships between 1861 and 1913]
  
==Merchant Shipping==
+
*[http://www.irishmariners.ie/ Irish Merchant Seamen 1918-1921]
  
 
*[http://www.merchant-mariners.co.uk/ The Federation Of Merchant Mariners]
 
*[http://www.merchant-mariners.co.uk/ The Federation Of Merchant Mariners]
  
*[http://www.mightyseas.co.uk/ Through Mighty Seas] Maritime history of the merchant sailing ships of the North West of England  
+
*[http://www.mightyseas.co.uk/Merchant sailing ships of the North West of England]
  
 
*[http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/WWI%20LOSSES%20INDEX.htm British Merchant Ship Losses in World War I]
 
*[http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/WWI%20LOSSES%20INDEX.htm British Merchant Ship Losses in World War I]
 
*[http://www.gordonmumford.com/m-navy.htm The Merchant Navy in World War 2]
 
  
 
*[http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/merchant_navy_losses.htm Merchant Navy Losses in World War 2]
 
*[http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/merchant_navy_losses.htm Merchant Navy Losses in World War 2]
  
*[http://www.crewlist.org.uk/ The Crew List] Merchant seafarers on British registered ships between 1861 and 1913.
+
<br><br>
  
*[http://www.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100p005004 How to Trace Merchant Navy Personnel]
+
==Coastguards and Coastal Defences==
  
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.569 How to Trace Merchant Mariners, Mates and Engineers Who Served in The Merchant Navy]
+
The Coastguard began as Customs Officers whose job was to apprehend smugglers trying to import goods without paying duty. As early as the 17th century there were small fleets of customs boats patrolling local waters in an effort to prevent smuggling.
<br><br>
 
  
==Old Shipping Companies==
+
A detailed history of HM Coastguard and Records can be found at the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=54 National Archives ~ Coastguard] and in County Record Offices.
  
*[http://www.shawsavillships.co.uk/index.htm The White Star, Shaw Savill and Albion Lines]
+
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_Majesty's_Coastguard HM Coastguard]
  
*[http://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/cmbhistory.asp The Caledonian Macbrayne Fleet]
+
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Coastguards/ British Coastguards 1841 - 1901 ]
  
*[http://www.unioncastlestaffregister.co.uk/ The Union Castle Line - Staff Register]
+
*[http://www.hansonclan.co.uk/coastguards_1.htm History of The Coastguard With Particular Reference to Wick and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea]
  
*[http://www.dpandl.co.uk/dpl_mainintro.html?shipping_history.html=dpl_history.html The Dundee Perth and London Shipping Company]
+
*[http://www.nazeman.fsnet.co.uk/page3.html History of Walton on the Naze Coastguard 1851-1901]
  
*[http://www.seaview.co.uk/cruiselines/pando/PandO_History.html History of the P & O Shipping Company]
+
*[http://www.coastguard.ukf.net/history.html A Brief History of The Tenby Coastguard Service]
  
*[http://www.manchesterliners.co.uk/index.htm Manchester Liners Old Shipmates Association]
+
*[http://www.isleofbarra.com/for-mariners/coastguard/history.html History of The Isle of Barra Coastguard]
  
*[http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/About-Us/ The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]
+
*[http://www.intute.ac.uk/socialsciences/cgi-bin/fullrecord.pl?handle=PORT1060946625 The Irish Coastguard Service From The 18th Century to The Early 20th Century]
<br><br>
 
  
==Place Specific==
+
*[http://www.martello-towers.co.uk/ The South Coast Martello Towers]
  
 +
*[http://www.landguard.com/ Landguard Fort, Felixtowe]
  
'''England and the Channel Islands'''
+
*[http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/ The Needles Battery]
  
*[http://www.portcities.org.uk/ Port Cities]
+
*[http://www.newhavenfort.org.uk/history.htm Newhaven Fort]
  
*[http://hometown.aol.com/PRode18115/ Bristol Channel Pilots]
+
*[http://personal.telefonica.terra.es/web/wynne/coastguard.htm Preventive Boat Service personnel 1816 - 1819]
  
*[http://www.discoveringbristol.org.uk/ The History of Bristol as a Port]
+
*[http://www.btinternet.com/~palmiped/pillboxes/pillboxes.htm WW2 Coastal Defences Salthouse, Kelling & Weybourne, North Norfolk  ]
  
*[http://www.brixhamsailingtrawlers.co.uk/ Brixham Heritage Sailing Trawlers Archive]
+
*[http://www.nothefort.org.uk/ The Nothe Fort, Weymouth]
  
*[http://www.helendoe.co.uk/ Tales of the Maritime Heritage of Cornwall]
+
*[http://www.palmerstonforts.org.uk/ The Palmerston Forts Society] Forts in Portsmouth Area
  
*[http://www.plymouthdata.info/Royal%20Dockyard.htm Royal Dockyard Devonport]
+
*[http://www.shorehamfort.co.uk/ Shoreham Fort]
  
*[http://www.grantontrawlers.com/index.htm Granton and Leith Trawlers]
+
*[http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/forts.htm The Maunsell Sea Forts, Whitstable]
 +
<br><br>
  
*[http://www.societe-jersiaise.org/alexgle/JMSBS.html Jersey Seaman's Benefit Society]
+
==The Fishing Industry==
  
*[http://www.mersey-gateway.org/ The History of Maritime Liverpool]
+
Deep sea fishing was the most dangerous occupation of the 19th Century and is still high on the list today. Men signed on at a fixed rate per voyage or for a share of the catch.
  
*[http://www.liverpoolpilots.com/history.htm Liverpool Pilots]
+
The fishing fleet was part of the Merchant Navy. Coastal County Record Offices sometimes house extensive collections of information about the fishing fleets based in their ports.
  
*[http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/ Merseyside Maritime Museum]
+
Details of these may be found in [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ A2A - Access to Archives] or, more likely, on individual County Record Office websites.
  
*[http://www.old-merseytimes.co.uk/logbook.html Merseyside Shipping Snippets]
+
*[http://www.hullwebs.co.uk/content/l-20c/conflict/ww1/trawlers/intro.htm Hull Trawler Losses of World War One]
  
*[http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=113 History of Portsmouth Dockyard]  
+
*[http://www.brixhamsailingtrawlers.co.uk/ The Brixham Sailing Trawlers Database]
  
*[http://www.plimsoll.org/ The History of Southampton Port]
+
*[http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/History%20of%20Fishing/History%20of%20Fishing.htm History of Fishing at Burton Bradstock]
  
*[http://www.swmaritime.org.uk/ South West Maritime History Society]
+
*[http://www.nelincs.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6BB72BF2-D1E3-4B8C-A3B7-DF8A7A30925A/0/FamilyHistoryFishingArchives.pdf A Guide to Family History in Hull and Grimsby Fishing Archives] (pdf file)
  
*[http://www.bargetrust.org/ The Thames Sailing Barge Trust]
+
*[http://www.hastingsfish.co.uk/index.htm The Fishing Industry in Hastings]
  
*[http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=file&p=thames&f=thames.htm Thames Pilot]
+
*[http://www.polperro.org/fishing.html The Polperro Fishing Industry]
  
 +
*[http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/ws1923/index.htm Irish Sea Herring Fisheries in the 18th and 19th Century]
  
'''Wales'''
+
*[http://www.scotfishmuseum.org/history.html A History of the Scottish Fishing Industry]
  
*[http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JACKIE_SANDERS/pilots.htm Cardiff Mariners]
+
*[http://www.mearns.org.uk/stonehaven/genfish.htm The Stonehaven Fishing Industry]
  
*[http://www.anglesey.info/Holyhead_Maritime_History.htm The Maritime History of Holyhead, inc. Ships Lost at War]
+
*[http://www.mcaorals.co.uk/Fraserburgh%20Boats.htm The History of Fraserburgh's Fishing Fleet]
  
*[http://www.rhiw.com/y_mor/hanes_llongau_llyn/hotmap/hotmap.htm Maritime Llyn and the Sea.The Men, Ships and Ports of Llyn, Wales]
+
*[http://www.buckieheritage.org/ Buckie and District Fishing Heritage]
<br><br>
 
 
 
==Lighthouses==
 
  
 +
*[http://www.milfordtrawlers.org.uk/ Milford Haven Trawlers]
  
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Lighthouses/ Lighthouse Personnel in England, Wales and The Channel Islands c. 1790-1911]
+
*[http://www.c-e-n.org/herringgirls.htm Herring Girls]
  
*[http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/interactive/gallery/index.html Trinity House's Gallery of Lighthouses]
+
*[http://www.explorenorth.com/whalers/ The Whalers' Heritage Project]
  
*[http://www.pbenyon1.plus.com/RN/Lighthouse_Maps/Lighthouses_North.html Map of UK Lighthouses in 1900, Scotland, Northern England and North of Ireland]
 
  
*[http://www.pbenyon1.plus.com/RN/Lighthouse_Maps/Lighthouses_South.html Map of UK Lighthouses in 1900, Southern England, The Channel Islands and South of Ireland]
+
'''Articles from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:'''
  
*[http://www.nlb.org.uk/historical/historical.htm History of Scottish Lighthouses]
+
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=226&Itemid=90&ed=15 The call of the sea]
  
*[http://www.bellrock.org.uk/ Bellrock Lighthouse (off the Angus Coast)]
+
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=81 Herrings and vegetables]
  
*[http://www.oldhigherlighthouse.com/history.html History of the Older Higher Lighthouse, Portland Bill]
+
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=115&Itemid=81 William Christmas Capps and son]
  
*[http://www.happisburgh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=31 A Brief History of Happisburgh Lighthouse]
+
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=215&Itemid=81 Toot]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
 
==Lifeboats==
 
==Lifeboats==
  
*[http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/the_heritage_trust/grace_darling_museum Grace Darling Museum] Bamburgh Northumberland
+
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity and lifeboats are manned by volunteers.
 +
 
 +
The RNLI grew out of the loose groups of salvagers which could be found in most ports.
 +
 
 +
When vessels were in trouble at sea salvers, often sailors or fishermen, would go to the rescue and claim salvage rights of the vessel and its cargo.
 +
 
 +
Many local branches of the RNLI have records of volunteers and rescues but do make a charge for searches. Some records can also be found in County Record Offices and local newspaper archives are another useful source.
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/the_heritage_trust/grace_darling_museum Grace Darling Museum]  
  
 
*[http://www.rnli.org.uk/Shorething/Youth/Crew/archives.aspx Shore Thing. Crew Member Archives of the RNLI]
 
*[http://www.rnli.org.uk/Shorething/Youth/Crew/archives.aspx Shore Thing. Crew Member Archives of the RNLI]
  
 
*[http://www.whitby-yorkshire.co.uk/lifeboat/lifeboats.htm A Site Dedicated to The Lifeboat Men of Whitby Who Lost Their Lives in 1861]
 
*[http://www.whitby-yorkshire.co.uk/lifeboat/lifeboats.htm A Site Dedicated to The Lifeboat Men of Whitby Who Lost Their Lives in 1861]
 +
 +
 +
'''Article from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:'''
 +
 +
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46:the-john-mewse-mug&catid=35:august-2008 The John Mewse Mug]
  
  
Line 165: Line 210:
 
*[http://www.falmouthlifeboat.co.uk/ Falmouth]  
 
*[http://www.falmouthlifeboat.co.uk/ Falmouth]  
  
*[http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/dp003/ Gravesend]  
+
*[http://www.cantabgold.net/users/ctm28/ Gravesend]  
  
 
*[http://www.lymeregis.com/lifeboat/ Lyme Regis]
 
*[http://www.lymeregis.com/lifeboat/ Lyme Regis]
  
*[http://www.mumbleslifeboat.org.uk/news/index.htm Mumbles]
+
*[http://www.mumbleslifeboat.org.uk/history.html Mumbles]
  
 
*[http://portpatricklifeboat.co.uk/text/the_archives.htm Portpatrick]
 
*[http://portpatricklifeboat.co.uk/text/the_archives.htm Portpatrick]
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<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
==Coastguards==
+
==Trinity Pilots and Lighthouses==
  
*[http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-hmcg_rescue/mcga-hmcg-history-of-coastguard.htm History of The Coastguard]
+
All ports need sea pilots to guide vessels safely through local hazards and into harbour. Historically these used to be local men who knew the seas around their home ports. Pilots were also needed on large navigable rivers. Samuel Pepys had concerns about the quality of Port of London Pilots and was given permission to devise a test and the Pilots were brought under the aegis of Trinity House.
  
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Coastguards/ British Coastguards 1841 - 1901 ]
+
Trinity Pilots were licensed by the [http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConNarrative.64/chapterId/1414/Trinity-House.html Corporation of Trinity House]. When a Pilot applied to be licensed, he had to have British nationality, have several years' experience as a watch-keeping officer of a ship, hold a foreign-going Master Mariner's certificate (or Naval Certificate of Service) and be under 35 years of age.
 +
 
 +
Records are held at The Guildhall Library, although these suffered from fire in 1666 and 1714 and from bombing in 1940. Some court minutes survive from 1660, but the majority of other records in the series are only present from the 19th century. Staff employed at the Guildhall Library are unable to undertake personal searches. The functions of Trinity House, as well as surviving records and how to access them is explained on the website at [http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/thouse2.htm Guildhall Library Manuscipts Section - Trinity House Family History Sources].
 +
 
 +
Qualified pilots could claim a set fee so unofficial local pilots continued to thrive up until the 20th Century. In Lowestoft, for example, these men were know as Brumigen Pilots. Registers of Pilots can usually be found in County Record Offices.
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/people/pilotage/channelpilots.htm Bristol Channel Pilots]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.liverpoolpilots.com/ Liverpool Pilots]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.thamespilot.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=file&p=thames&f=thames.htm Thames Pilot]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Lighthouses/ Lighthouse Personnel in England, Wales and The Channel Islands c. 1790-1911]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/interactive/gallery/index.html Trinity House's Gallery of Lighthouses]
 +
 
 +
*[http://www.pbenyon1.plus.com/RN/Lighthouse_Maps/Lighthouses_North.html Map of UK Lighthouses in 1900, Scotland, Northern England and North of Ireland]
  
*[http://www.hansonclan.co.uk/coastguards_1.htm History of The Coastguard With Particular Reference to Wick and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea]
+
*[http://www.pbenyon1.plus.com/RN/Lighthouse_Maps/Lighthouses_South.html Map of UK Lighthouses in 1900, Southern England, The Channel Islands and South of Ireland]
  
*[http://www.nazeman.fsnet.co.uk/page3.html History of Walton on the Naze Coastguard 1851-1901]
+
*[http://www.nlb.org.uk/historical/historical.htm History of Scottish Lighthouses]
  
*[http://www.coastguard.ukf.net/history.html A Brief History of The Tenby Coastguard Service]
+
*[http://www.bellrock.org.uk/ Bellrock Lighthouse (off the Angus Coast)]
  
*[http://www.isleofbarra.com/history.html History of The Isle of Barra Coastguard]
+
*[http://www.oldhigherlighthouse.com/history.html History of the Older Higher Lighthouse, Portland Bill]
  
*[http://www.intute.ac.uk/socialsciences/cgi-bin/fullrecord.pl?handle=PORT1060946625 The Irish Coastguard Service From The 18th Century to The Early 20th Century]
+
*[http://www.happisburgh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=31 A Brief History of Happisburgh Lighthouse]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
==Shipbuilding==
  
 +
*[http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/Shipbuilding.html The Shipbuilding Industry of North East England 1790-1899]
  
==Coastal Defences==
+
*[http://www.berwickshipyard.com/ Berwick on Tweed Shipyard]
  
*[http://www.martello-towers.co.uk/ The South Coast Martello Towers]
+
*[http://www.clydesite.co.uk/articles/index.asp Clydeside Shipbuilding History]
  
*[http://www.landguard.com/ Landguard Fort, Felixtowe]
+
*[http://www.lakestay.co.uk/shipbuild.html The Whitehaven Shipbuilding Industry]
  
*[http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/ The Needles Battery]
+
*[http://www.chdt.org.uk/Discover/The_Dockyards_History/History.html Chatham Dockyard]
  
*[http://www.newhavenfort.org.uk/history.htm Newhaven Fort]
+
*[http://www.titanicinbelfast.com/welcome.aspx Titanic in Belfast ~ Harland & Wolff]
  
*[http://www.btinternet.com/~palmiped/pillboxes/pillboxes.htm WW2 Coastal Defences Salthouse, Kelling & Weybourne, North Norfolk  ]
+
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~handwapprentices/ Harland and Wolff Apprentices]
 +
<br><br>
  
*[http://www.fortressweymouth.co.uk/nothe1.htm The Nothe Fort, Weymouth]
+
==Shipping Companies==
  
*[http://www.palmerstonforts.org.uk/ The Palmerston Forts Society] Forts in Portsmouth Area
+
*[http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/ The Ocean Liner Virtual Museum]
  
*[http://www.shorehamfort.co.uk/ Shoreham Fort]
+
*[http://www.shawsavillships.co.uk/index.htm The White Star, Shaw Savill and Albion Lines]
  
*[http://www.whitstablescene.co.uk/forts.htm The Maunsell Sea Forts, Whitstable]
+
*[http://www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk/cmbhistory.asp The Caledonian Macbrayne Fleet]
<br><br>
 
  
==Smuggling==
+
*[http://www.unioncastlestaffregister.co.uk/ The Union Castle Line - Staff Register]
  
*[http://www.smuggling.co.uk/history.html A History of British Smuggling]
+
*[http://www.dpandl.co.uk/dpl_mainintro.html?shipping_history.html=dpl_history.html The Dundee Perth and London Shipping Company]
  
*[http://www.dorsetsmugglers.co.uk/ A History of Smuggling in East Dorset]
+
*[http://www.seaview.co.uk/cruiselines/pando/PandO_History.html History of the P & O Shipping Company]
  
*[http://www.heritagepress.polperro.org/smuggling.html The History of Smuggling in Polperro]
+
*[http://www.manchesterliners.co.uk/index.htm Manchester Liners Old Shipmates Association]
  
*[http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Smuggling/Smuggling.htm Smuggling in and around Burton Bradstock]
+
*[http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/About-Us/ The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]
  
 +
*[http://www.biship.com/ British India Steam Navigation]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
  
 
==Shipwrecks==
 
==Shipwrecks==
 +
 +
*[http://www.titanicarchive.com/History.aspx The Titanic]
  
 
*[http://www.shipwrecksofscotland.com/ Great British Shipwrecks]
 
*[http://www.shipwrecksofscotland.com/ Great British Shipwrecks]
  
*[http://www.weymouthdiving.com/weymouthdiving/dorsetshipwrecks.htm Dorset Shipwrecks]
+
*[http://www.divingweymouth.com/mainpages/wrecks.htm Dorset and Portland Shipwrecks]
  
 
*[http://www.theheritagecoast.co.uk/historyfile/portland_and_weymouth/wrecks/chesil_beach_shipwrecks.htm Chesil Beach Shipwrecks]
 
*[http://www.theheritagecoast.co.uk/historyfile/portland_and_weymouth/wrecks/chesil_beach_shipwrecks.htm Chesil Beach Shipwrecks]
Line 257: Line 323:
 
*[http://www.corkshipwrecks.net/ Shipwrecks of Cork Harbour]
 
*[http://www.corkshipwrecks.net/ Shipwrecks of Cork Harbour]
  
*[http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/page.asp?id=240#map Shipwrecks off Victoria, Australia]
+
*[http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/shipwrecks/ Early Australian Shipwrecks]
<br><br>
+
 
  
 +
'''Articles from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:'''
  
==The Fishing Industry==
+
*[http://www.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=219&Itemid=90&ed=15 R.M.S. Titanic]
  
*[http://www.hullwebs.co.uk/content/l-20c/conflict/ww1/trawlers/intro.htm Hull Trawler Losses of World War One]
+
<br><br>
  
*[http://www.nelincs.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6BB72BF2-D1E3-4B8C-A3B7-DF8A7A30925A/0/FamilyHistoryFishingArchives.pdf A Guide to Family History in Hull and Grimsby Fishing Archives]
+
==Smuggling==
  
*[http://www.arcticcorsair.f9.co.uk/corsair/101-books/101-historyoftrawlerfishinghull.htm A History of Trawler Fishing in Hull]
+
*[http://www.smuggling.co.uk/history.html A History of British Smuggling]
  
*[http://www.hastingsfish.co.uk/index.htm The Fishing Industry in Hastings]
+
*[http://www.dorsetsmugglers.co.uk/ A History of Smuggling in East Dorset]
  
*[http://www.brixhamsailingtrawlers.co.uk/Database.htm The Brixham Sailing Trawlers Database]
+
*[http://www.heritagepress.polperro.org/smuggling.html The History of Smuggling in Polperro]
  
*[http://www.polperro.org/fishing.html The Polperro Fishing Industry]
+
*[http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Smuggling/Smuggling.htm Smuggling in and around Burton Bradstock]
  
*[http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/History%20of%20Fishing/History%20of%20Fishing.htm History of Fishing at Burton Bradstock]
 
  
*[http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/fulltext/ws1923/index.htm Irish Sea Herring Fisheries in the 18th and 19th Century]
+
'''Articles from the Family Tree Forum Online Magazine:'''
  
*[http://www.scotfishmuseum.org/history.html A History of the Scottish Fishing Industry]
+
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=232:watch-the-wall-my-darling&catid=48:may-2009 Watch the wall my darling]
  
*[http://www.mearns.org.uk/stonehaven/genfish.htm The Stonehaven Fishing Industry]
+
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=228:turncoat&catid=48:may-2009 Turncoat]
  
*[http://www.mcaorals.co.uk/Fraserburgh%20Boats.htm The History of Fraserburgh's Fishing Fleet]
+
*[http://ftfmagazine.lewcock.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=235:were-you-born-in-yapton&catid=48:may-2009 Were you born in Yapton?]
 +
<br><br>
  
*[http://www.buckieheritage.org/ Buckie and District Fishing Heritage]
+
==Ports and Harbours==
  
*[http://www.milfordtrawlers.org.uk/ Milford Haven Trawlers]
+
*[http://www.portcities.org.uk/london  Maritime London]
  
<br><br>
+
*[http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/alpha_lists/pierlist.htm Piers of England]
  
==Shipbuilding==
+
*[http://www.portcities.org.uk/ Port Cities uk, Bristol, Hartlepool, Liverpool, London & Southampton]
  
*[http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/page78.htm The Shipbuiliding Industry of North East England 1790-1899]
+
*[http://www.brixhamsailingtrawlers.co.uk/ Brixham Heritage Sailing Trawlers Archive]
  
*[http://www.berwickshipyard.com/ Berwick on Tweed Shipyard]
+
*[http://www.helendoe.co.uk/ Tales of the Maritime Heritage of Cornwall]
  
*[http://www.clydesite.co.uk/articles/index.asp Clydeside Shipbuilding History]
+
*[http://www.plymouthdata.info/Royal%20Dockyard.htm Royal Dockyard Devonport]
  
*[http://www.lakestay.co.uk/shipbuild.html The Whitehaven Shipbuilding Industry]
+
*[http://www.grantontrawlers.com/index.htm Granton and Leith Trawlers]
  
*[http://www.chdt.org.uk/Discover/The_Dockyards_History/History.html Chatham Dockyard]
+
*[http://www.societe-jersiaise.org/alexgle/JMSBS.html Jersey Seaman's Benefit Society]
  
*[http://www.titanicinbelfast.com/welcome.aspx Titanic in Belfast~Harland & Wolff]
+
*[http://www.mersey-gateway.org/ The History of Maritime Liverpool]
<br><br>
 
  
==Miscellaneous==
+
*[http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/ Merseyside Maritime Museum]
  
*[http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/bounty/crew.shtml Biographies of The Crew of The Bounty]
+
*[http://www.old-merseytimes.co.uk/logbook.html Merseyside Shipping Snippets]
  
*[http://www.titanicarchive.com/History.aspx The Titanic]
+
*[http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=113 History of Portsmouth Dockyard]  
  
*[http://www.submarineheritage.com/index.html The Submarine Heritage Centre]
+
*[http://www.swmaritime.org.uk/ South West Maritime History Society]
  
*[http://www.geocities.com/myjacobfamilymiscellania/paymentsmariners1 Payments to Mariners 1299-1300]
+
*[http://www.bargetrust.org/ The Thames Sailing Barge Trust]
  
*[http://www.hotkey.net.au/~jwilliams4/mariner9.htm Index of Ships' Captains] Australia and New Zealand
+
*[http://www.cardiffmariners.org.uk/ Cardiff Mariners]
  
*[http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/alpha_lists/pierlist.htm Piers of England]
+
*[http://www.anglesey.info/Holyhead_Maritime_History.htm The Maritime History of Holyhead]
  
 +
*[http://www.rhiw.com/y_mor/hanes_llongau_llyn/hotmap/hotmap.htm Maritime Llyn and the Sea.The Men, Ships and Ports of Llyn, Wales]
  
 +
*[http://www.swanseamariners.org.uk/ Swansea Mariners]
 +
<br><br>
  
<br><br><br><br>
+
Back to [[:Category:Military and Maritime History|Military and Maritime History]]
  
 
Back to [[Main Page]]
 
Back to [[Main Page]]
  
 
Back to [[General History]]
 
Back to [[General History]]

Latest revision as of 09:25, 12 September 2022

Submitted by Guinevere



Sailors

The term sailor is commonly used to describe any man who went to sea, whether in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, Coastguards, Lifeboat Service, fishing fleet or as a pilot, privateer or a single boatman. If a man went to sea he was a sailor.

Mariners

The term mariner can be synonymous with sailor but is more likely to mean that the man was concerned with the navigation of the vessel. Master mariners were those skilled in navigation. A Master Mariner would probably have a Mate or Master's ticket and be on the Seaman's Register at the National Archives. Mariners would come under the umbrella heading of the Merchant Navy.

The main source for tracing details of merchant seamen and shipping, especially from the 18th century onwards, are the archives of the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS). These records are held in a number of places. Some are with the RSS in Cardiff, some with the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich and National Archives of Scotland and Ireland. However, the majority are held in The National Archives in Kew. These records are broken down into categories and an explanation of how these can be viewed can be found on The National Archives.

Organised service records do not commence until 1835 when The Merchant Shipping Act of that year required masters of all ships to file Agreements and Crew Lists with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.

For those researching mariner ancestors who are experiencing difficulty locating them on the England and Wales census, Seamen on British Censuses contains a good explanation of the requirements regarding enumeration and may assist in helping you to locate those missing people!

The National Maritime Museum ~ Maritime Memorials is another good source of information for those researching this field.

Also see Military Research

General Information






The Royal Navy



The Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy Records




Coastguards and Coastal Defences

The Coastguard began as Customs Officers whose job was to apprehend smugglers trying to import goods without paying duty. As early as the 17th century there were small fleets of customs boats patrolling local waters in an effort to prevent smuggling.

A detailed history of HM Coastguard and Records can be found at the National Archives ~ Coastguard and in County Record Offices.



The Fishing Industry

Deep sea fishing was the most dangerous occupation of the 19th Century and is still high on the list today. Men signed on at a fixed rate per voyage or for a share of the catch.

The fishing fleet was part of the Merchant Navy. Coastal County Record Offices sometimes house extensive collections of information about the fishing fleets based in their ports.

Details of these may be found in A2A - Access to Archives or, more likely, on individual County Record Office websites.


Articles from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:



Lifeboats

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity and lifeboats are manned by volunteers.

The RNLI grew out of the loose groups of salvagers which could be found in most ports.

When vessels were in trouble at sea salvers, often sailors or fishermen, would go to the rescue and claim salvage rights of the vessel and its cargo.

Many local branches of the RNLI have records of volunteers and rescues but do make a charge for searches. Some records can also be found in County Record Offices and local newspaper archives are another useful source.


Article from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:


Many other Lifeboat stations have their own history sites, often with old Crew Lists and Photographs - these include:-



Trinity Pilots and Lighthouses

All ports need sea pilots to guide vessels safely through local hazards and into harbour. Historically these used to be local men who knew the seas around their home ports. Pilots were also needed on large navigable rivers. Samuel Pepys had concerns about the quality of Port of London Pilots and was given permission to devise a test and the Pilots were brought under the aegis of Trinity House.

Trinity Pilots were licensed by the Corporation of Trinity House. When a Pilot applied to be licensed, he had to have British nationality, have several years' experience as a watch-keeping officer of a ship, hold a foreign-going Master Mariner's certificate (or Naval Certificate of Service) and be under 35 years of age.

Records are held at The Guildhall Library, although these suffered from fire in 1666 and 1714 and from bombing in 1940. Some court minutes survive from 1660, but the majority of other records in the series are only present from the 19th century. Staff employed at the Guildhall Library are unable to undertake personal searches. The functions of Trinity House, as well as surviving records and how to access them is explained on the website at Guildhall Library Manuscipts Section - Trinity House Family History Sources.

Qualified pilots could claim a set fee so unofficial local pilots continued to thrive up until the 20th Century. In Lowestoft, for example, these men were know as Brumigen Pilots. Registers of Pilots can usually be found in County Record Offices.



Shipbuilding



Shipping Companies



Shipwrecks


Articles from Family Tree Forum's Online Magazine:



Smuggling


Articles from the Family Tree Forum Online Magazine:



Ports and Harbours



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