Best of Royal Navy

The History Guy will be traveling the next two weeks with limited posting. Until I return, enjoy this compilation of episodes about ships and heroes of the Royal Navy. A full hour of sea stories from The History Guy.
00:00 - Liquid History and HMS Belfast
13:49 - Charles Lucas and the First Victoria Cross
28:18 - HMS Zubian and the Dover Patrol
40:12 - Cruisers vs Zeppelin: HMAS Sydney and HMS Dublin vs L 43, 1917
54:46 - Through the Eyes of Timothy, The Last Survivor of the Crimean War
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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#history #thehistoryguy #RoyalNavy

[@dixiefallas7799]

HMS Warspite should have been saved! 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@rabidmidgeecosse1336]

yep

[@dixiefallas7799]

@@rabidmidgeecosse1336 especially since it was in both wars. My dad was a CPO on Warspite all through the war at Narvik and Matapan. She expended all her shells at Normandy on her way back from the Med. She didn’t give up easily at the end either running aground at Prussia Cove. Yeah, bloody shame!🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@doobiejones9388]

What you said. I get it. As an American l feel the same about the USS Enterprise. CV 6. 2 greatest warships of the 20th century sent to the breakers. Not cool.

[@dixiefallas7799]

@@doobiejones9388 Absolutely and she was a beauty too!🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸

[@jimtalbott9535]

And Nelson, and Vanguard, and Dreadnaught, and….and…..and….. I do with the Brits weren’t so “scrap happy”.

[@eegpas]

Your comments are spot on. When visiting the HMS Belfast on a tour to Europe with my then 17-year-old son in 2005, we had the opportunity to experience their recreation of the fight against the Bismarck. Comparing Paris to London he asked me what the historical difference was between the two. I replied, "Paris was built to resemble the center of an Empire, London was the center of an Empire."

[@RetiredSailor60]

Sailed many times with the Royal Navy as part of NATO exercises. OS1(SW/AW) USN Retired

[@Lee-70ish]

Thanks for your service RS. May have a pond between us but in times of trouble as close allies it vanishes .

[@theboyisnotright6312]

Worked with the RAF when I was stationed at Lake Heath in the Air Force. They operated the SAMs, not sure why it was done this way but them guys were great to work with. Always had tea😂😂, it hits the spot at 2am on a cold night 😊

[@user-jh8mo1gx6l]

Well done presentation! Thank you!

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey History Guy 🤓 and Classmates, have a great weekend! GOD BLESS

[@leefreeston3900]

The Victoria Cross is the only award issued in the United Kingdom that cannot be withdrawn. You can even wear the Victoria Cross if they hang on The Gallows.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Sorry, that is not correct. Eight VC’s have historically been forfeited for serious misconduct.

[@THEEJuror13]

I lost my VC when i asked for a ‘real’ beer, like a Miller Highlife. I feel the punishment was appropriate.

[@captainjoshuagleiberman2778]

​@@TheHistoryGuyChannelthat was not always true. It was only after WWI that the VC could be withdrawn.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

@@captainjoshuagleiberman2778 actually, the opposite. The original warrant allowed for the award to be rescinded. In 1920 George V wrote a letter: “The King feels so strongly that, no matter the crime committed by anyone on whom the VC has been conferred, the decoration should not be forfeited. Even were a VC to be sentenced to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear his VC on the scaffold.” That is the rule that leefreeston3900 was apparently referring to. The eight medals rescinded occurred between 1856 and 1908. However, the rule is at the Monarch’s discretion, and it is still possible that the King could allow an award to be rescinded.

[@leefreeston3900]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel this is correct

[@DeconvertedMan]

Tanks for the episode ;)

[@davidholder3207]

My wife Marianne grew up in the Tower of London between 1949-1959, being the eldest daughter of WO 6458484 RW Friend of 1st Bat. Royal Fusilers stationed there. We both worked in the HQ office of Ministry of Transport in Southwark, close to where the Globe Theatre was rebuilt. Now that’s history which deserves to be remembered.

[@dixiefallas7799]

Thanks for this information!🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@markbaker9459]

Tanks a lot !!!

[@ChapBloke]

Thank you for these, History Guy.

[@MrEsszed]

My dad was the last Chief Shipwright on Belfast before she paid off. His workshop is on the starboard waist.

[@jerryodell1168]

The US Navy ship used in this video was the USS Canberra CAG-2 which was a Baltimore class heavy cruiser (Not light cruiser). Baltimore-class heavy cruisers were a large class of heavy cruisers. The Canberra's, several HMAS Canberra's, and two USS Canberra's have interesting and close name and service connections. Connecting Australia and the USA Navies. I served on the CAG-2 two Med Cruises, several contacts with Russian military assets, Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy's mid Atlantic Conference in Bermuda, and several humanitarian missions.

[@peterbrazier7107]

HMAS Canberra and HMAS Australia were both County class heavy Cruisers.

[@jarradjeffs1132]

Great work old mate

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Back in the Saddle Again Naturally!

[@user-py6oc4jo6c]

Sir, you are very good at finding the root causes of historical events. Well done, that man!--Bob Bailey in Maine, USA

[@hoverport]

People adding The, before H.M.S is so annoying. Thank you History Guy, for actually stating that this is incorrect.

[@livethefuture2492]

Well its a proper noun, how else do you refer to a ship? I guess it would technically be more correct to call it simply "The Belfast" when referring to in common speech, but even so there could be many different ships named Belfast over the years, so referring to it as THE seems to be fine even if it might be technically incorrect. sometimes we can negate these gramatical inconsistencies for practical purposes of speech.

[@Electriceye1984bySam]

One of your best vids👌🏻🏆

[@moosifer3321]

HMS Belfast is indeed aTown Class, but of a Sub-Class, Improved Southampton Class, along with her sister HMS Edinburgh. My Dad served on HMS Sheffield as a `Bootneck`!

[@user-lc1wk5dh5h]

Interesting to note that Belfasts guns are trained on the Newport Parnell motorway service station. No comment given on this choice. Thanks dear History Guy . You are brilliant.

[@jeremypnet]

No they aren’t. They are trained on what used to be called Scratchwood services just on the other side of London. Newport Pagnell is miles out of range of Belfast’s guns.

[@Russia-bullies]

“Britain floats on its navy”(Ex UK admiral of the fleet Jackie Fisher).

[@jonthinks6238]

TY for what you do, todays was with extra benefits. All for a key.

[@Syndr1]

Hi History, what an eclectic collection of Tales. Thank you.

[@andrewriggs2764]

I love the longer videos

[@catman492000]

I think you confused London Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. London Bridge is masonry not girders.

[@caw25sha]

I've lived in London all my life and have never seen anyone wearing a bowler hat. I think they went out of fashion in the 50s, as did hats in general.

[@superted6960]

The decline of hats is put down to the rise of the car. No need for one anymore if you're inside a car most of the time

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

There is the Sunday cavalry parade.

[@grahvis]

Back in the 50s and early 60s, Waterloo station in the morning was a sea of bowlers hats, furled umbrellas and briefcases.

[@jptjoyce1]

Thanks!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thank you!

[@SteveMccart]

I loved going to the imperial war museum. It takes a few days to take it all in.

[@didgerb72]

I was RCT Maritime 89 to 93. Did plenty of joint ops exercises as we attached to 3rd Commando Brigade RM. I remember in Portland Harbour, our fleet spent overnight in the bay. We were operating at radio silence, so day time flags or Morse by light in day and night. We were only trained for 8 words a min. The RN were Insanely good. They sent so quick we kept replying IMI (repeat lol). So they sent "bloody Army". So we responded."No Sea to Ruff - No M*ff to Tuff". Lol. The Commodore in charge of the task force, had a polite word with our OC. So our vessels weren't allowed to do jolly across to the Isle of Wight for 2 days. Til he wanted some rnr. So he lifted the ban lol. I knew which of our Landing Craft sent the morse reply. But no one has ever admitted to it 31 yrs later lmao. We also had a crazy waste of time 300 mile round trip lol. Funny logistics this exercise. We are based Marchwood Southampton, our small RCL landing Craft had to sail down to Devonport. We sailed as an Amphibious task force. Picking up 3 Scimitar light vehicles on way back, between Lyme Regis and Portland. Steep 60ft cliffs for miles, with a small dirt path dug, for vehicles to load onto Landing Craft etc. Only to beach after the night in Portland for 2 weeks exercise off Browndown beach. Only 5 miles from Marchwood. We did a 300 miles round trip in a 110ft landing craft. That I'm.sure it cheaper for the scimitar to drive or go on tank transporter. We could've picked them up at Marchwood, then sail.the 5 miles..picking up the task force in the Solent.and then beach. Then next two weeks the RM Commandos were off on Salisbury plain in Brigade attack. Whilst we relaxed most the day at anchor. Waiting for orders to pick up stores off bigger vessels or sail upto Marchwood. Our Sqn HQ on the beach in big tent. Whilst we doing 6hrs on 6 hrs off watch keeping. Sitting in front of radar and watching anchor didn't drag. Then off watch. In our crew mess watching TV lol).

[@johngregg5735]

Speaking of evading the treaty limitations, the Japanese came up with a great trick. An ideal cruiser was heavily armored and well armed. The treaty of London limited the weight of cruisers and the two main components of weight were the turrets and the ships hull. This resulted in two basic choices -a lightly armored ship (and vulnerable) with heavy firepower, or a heavily armored ship with lightweight turrets (and firepower). The US chose the former option. The Japanese chose the later. As soon as they left the treaty,, they replaced the lightweight turrets and replaced them with heavy turrets.

[@livethefuture2492]

These treaties were misguided. All they did was let those who broke them gain a significant advantage over those who remained compliant. In effect all this did was weaken the Allied war effort in years to come.

[@ChiefMac59]

I need to point out 2 errors. First the Russians sold not only Alaska to the United States. It also included the north coast of California as well. There is still a Russian fort in Sonoma County, California - Fort Ross. The second is that Alaska was the 49th State and not the 50th. Hawaii was the 50th state

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

While “Russian America” reached into Northern California, the Alaska purchase only included the territory comprised of the current state of Alaska. Russia no longer made claims in Northern California. Fort Ross had been sold to a Mexican citizen, and the land acquired by the US after the War with Mexico.

[@mwb3984]

We all enjoy THG so much that we don't fuss much about mundane things such as who was 49th or 50th. After all, there WERE Russian pirates after gold in Alaska!

[@jeffkellybaldwin7712]

Yes, Alaska was 49. History Guy is great, have to keep him accurate!

[@brandinolson9874]

Great video. My Grandfather was on the Destroyer DD 719 in 1953. I have tried to research anything I can find about his ship but haven't been able to find very much information on his ship. If possible could you lead me in the right direction or possibly even do a series on the Gearing Destroyers? Thank you

[@lawrenrich6419]

Love your channel. No war machines though thx.

[@cyberherbalist]

Super! I love The History Guy! England truly has a large amount of history - more than can be imagined. My own channel, A Yank in Sussex, cover mainly just one of England's counties, is spoiled for choice, and more topics than I have time to develop.

[@lawrenceburchett7411]

A wonderfull collection of storys , I don't know if you have ever done a Vid on them but one on the "Baltimore Clippers " of the Chesapeake Bay , would be interesting Howard I Chappelle wrote the definitive book ( Curator of Transportation at the Smithsonian ), I met him as a young man working at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Musem, fascinating man and sort of a god to us wooden boat guys..lol The Baltimore Clippers were fast tough and the absolute best Privateers of their age .I knew the crew of the first Pride of Baltimore, and had visited her construction, in the mid-late 70ts , her loss in 1986 saddened all of us .I was glad they built another , and If you can look at a pic of the Pride of Baltimore II and not say OH BABY !!!, then you are not stirred by beauty and grace , and ...deadly purpose .Just a thought, enjoy your Vids , take care

[@-jeff-]

Rousing sea tales that span the history of the Royal Navy. Though sometimes at a tortoise pace. 🇬🇧 🐢

[@garybrown4449]

It was Wellington called the battle Waterloo. Km away from actual location. But being the Comdr well.

[@anoniaciesluk3273]

At the beginning when put on the bowler hat you looked a lot like Micheal Caine!

[@peterbrazier7107]

There is a Jutland veteran in Belfast, HMS Caroline, the first of the C Class cruisers.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

Hey Playboy 🤓👋 with that hat you look like the Baby New Year! Rudolph's Shiney New Year.

[@dougwalker4944]

... i get a Paul Harvey vibe when i listen to this guy... the son sounds just like the dad.

[@jeffbangkok]

Good night

[@TM-ev2tc]

You should do a video about the indigenous peoples of Europe. Such as The Sami people.

[@flashgordon6670]

Fabulous episode ty. One of the best on YT! Was Rudolf Hess a Leftenant?

[@jonthinks6238]

He was originally # 2 man.

[@flashgordon6670]

@@jonthinks6238 So not a leftenant.

[@cb-kf6qx]

Can you do a history video about General Robert E Lee?? Please and thank you.

[@grahvis]

The naval exploits in the Baltic during the Crimean War included the activities of one Admiral Plumridge who led a small blockade squadron. He decided to raid various ports and burned stocks of pitch, tar and naval lumber. Unfortunately the ports were in what is now Finland, people who were not well-disposed toward Russia and most of the material he burned, was destined for Britain, some of it was already paid for.

[@magnusmalmborn8665]

Destroyers came into being to stop torpedo boats, but in time they would usurp the torpedo boat and become the primary wielder of torpedos.

[@geordiedog1749]

Ah…..the Andrew!

[@destry5250]

Shipping out of Corpus Christi, Freeport, Galveston, and Port Arthur-- tanker freighters were constantly getting torpedoed. The US Navy would not protect our Texas Merchant Marines and their ships. The Royal Navy sent a flotilla of destroyers to the Gulf of Mexico and eliminated the u-boat threat. Thank you Royal Navy, Texas Is Proud . . .

[@nonoyorbusness]

Are you sure he said the Thames was liquid history or liquid sewage!

[@dougwalker4944]

sewage = history...QED

[@virgilyoungs6809]

While in the US Marines we went on a NATO cruise to train with NATO Allie’s. In October of 1978 the ship I was on an LST 1181 USS Sumter sailed up the Thames River. We moored off on the HMS Belfast and had to walk across her historic decks to get on shore for liberty.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

I'm so glad that you pointed out the fallacy of preceding HM Ships with 'the'. It is of course, as you mentioned, e.g., HMS Victory, HMS Vanguard and so on. HOWEVER... In the last part (Timothy) you blotted your copybook and called an RN Ship 'the' HMS...

[@DocWatsonHistory]

I have a amazing hat story, with one of the most infamous people ever, Jochen Peiper's hat, and I saw it - Doc

[@bigsarge2085]

✌

[@grahamlait1969]

Rudolf Hess was not the last prisoner to be held in the Tower of London. As the tower was a working army barracks until well into the 1950s it was used as a military prison. Among the last prisoners to be held there were the notorious Kray twins who were imprisoned during their national service for variously striking a superior officer, going AWOL (absent without leave) and heaven knows how many other offences. Eventually they were dishonourably discharged and then went on to become notorious gangsters and murderers, ending up spending most of their lives in prison. The Tower was probably the first jail (not gaol) to host their unlovely carcasses.

[@mrmoose-bt6ns]

i wonder if Lucas played gaelic football & his Armagh instincts just kicked in?

[@nicolesage1344]

Is that an original lava lamp?!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

A special edition “watermelon” color.

[@nicolesage1344]

😮 I am in awe

[@herrunsinn774]

0:43 Opie Taylor (on the right) lives! 😆😅🤣

[@51WCDodge]

London! Expensive to vist, and you don't want to live there..

[@mikefingbond3888]

HEY! Alaska is the 49th state, not the 50th.

[@neilperry2224]

My great grandfather was in the crime an war, he was damn lucky.

[@merlinwizard1000]

6th, 6 October 2023

[@billmandaue2168]

Alaska was NOT the 50th state. Hawaii was. Alaska was Number 49.

[@gdasailor4634]

And so, who got the keys to the church?

[@justme_gb]

London is charming but I found it to be way over rated and far too expensive. Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Amsterdam are far more lovely. Belgrade, Budapest, Zagreb, and Sarajevo are grittier and much better values.

[@51WCDodge]

Charming? Yes, possibly , compared to muck heap.

[@livethefuture2492]

Are you eastern European by any chance? i sense some bias here... Also why Berlin though? Like most of the historic architecture was destroyed in ww2 and when it was divided, most of what you see today is reconstructed.

[@justme_gb]

@@livethefuture2492 American of Eastern and Western European descent. I have traveled in 20 European countries though. Berlin's reconstruction is a testimony to human resiliancy. The dichotomy between East and West was fascinating when I was there. Particular U-bahn and S-bahn routes took you through/past the sparkling Potsdamer Platz through Eastern Bloc concrete housing.

[@robertpatrick3350]

Yes they are nice little cities if a little bit parochial.

[@doctorbritain9632]

I know you Americans don't pronounce lieutenant the same way we do, and I get it, you pronounce in phonetically the way it is spelt. However, would it be possible when discussing the rank in British terms to pronounce it the way we do, phonetically it is Leftenent. I know it is weird but it's only polite. Thanks.

[@kevinvilmont6061]

Frankenship!

[@cretene1]

what timing . crimia

[@markstott6689]

And yet, even in 2023 after being allies for the last 167 years, we English don't always trust the French government. The French trying to continue selling Exocet anti shipping missiles to Argentina during the Falklands War didn't help matters. I guess 800 years of warfare isn't forgotten overnight. 😊😊😊❤😊😊😊

[@MartyInLa]

Belfast is a cool ship. But, why the hell the Royal Navy scrapped the much more historic Warspite I'll never know. I mean the US Navy kept all 4 of it's much more impressive Iowa class battleships, we even still have the USS Constitution. Well, at least they were wise enough to keep the magnificent HMS Victory.

[@notshapedforsportivetricks2912]

They wanted to get rid of Viictory as well. Treasury are cheap bastards. Always have been. Admiral Jacky Fisher once remarked that the navy's most dangerous enemies were: #3 The germans #2 The Parliament #1 The Treasury. Nothing has changed.

[@Johnny-w15]

That’s it our shores and city’s are shrouded in history , we have gave the world so much good and bad but you can’t deny the United Kingdom dragged the world kicking and screaming into the modern era

[@DocWatsonHistory]

I am probably the only person who knows where it is, in a closet in Belgium.

[@jp-um2fr]

PS, I did unsubscribe (I'm English) as, although you do cover counties other than the U.S. it swung a lot towards the States. As you can see from my comment below, you are now in my 'good books'. Coming from a tiny country that has made more c*ck up's than any other, whilst patriotic like most of my fellow countrymen, we can laugh at ourselves. Try the Earl of Cardigan or Wellington's boots and teeth. (he didn't have any).

[@jp-um2fr]

BL**DY HELL. My 'Tim' was given to me 71 years ago. Bl**dy thing costs me a fortune in strawberries, so much so that I have a 5 m long strawberry patch just for (it ?). However, she also likes mushy pees which I have to mush as I'm not too sure of her/ he's digestive system. She spends the winter next to me in the bedroom and wakes up now and then for some defrosted strawberries. No, I don't pay for them to be flown in.

[@shawnwhitehead3062]

I don't believe the button started using the metric system till 1965 or thereabouts

[@shawnwhitehead3062]

What is baffling to me is that you use the metric system to talk about the Crimean War the British had not Adept at that system yet as we did use the imperial system where's your sense of history now

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Today we generally use US Customary Measurements because our audience is largely American. But I was not always consistent in older episodes, where I tended to use the measurements that were used in the source material.