Discover Top Posts Tagged with #spithead

HMS Victory at anchor in Spithead off the Isle of Wight, 1805, by Derek George Montague Gardner (1914-2007)

#naval art #hms victory #spithead #1805 #age of sail #art #sailing ship

Soon after the action, we were ordered to Spithead, with duplicate despatches. One morning I heard a midshipman say, “he would do his old father out of a new kit.” I inquired what he meant, was first called a greenhorn for not knowing, and then had it explained to me. “Don’t you know,” said my instructor, “that after every action there is more canvas, rope, and paint expended in the warrant-officer’s accounts than were destroyed by the enemy?”

I assented to this on the credit of the informer, without knowing whether it was true or false, and he proceeded. “How are we to have white hammock-clothes, skysail masts, and all other finery, besides a coat of paint for the ship’s sides every six weeks, if we don’t expend all these things in action, and pretend they were lost overboard, or destroyed?”

— Frederick Marryat, The Naval Officer (Frank Mildmay)

Lord Howe on Board the 'Queen Charlotte' Bringing His Prize into Spithead, 1794, painted 1804, collection of HMS Excellent.

#frederick marryat #captain marryat #age of sail #royal navy #frank mildmay #age of fighting sail #the naval officer #spithead #naval art #maritime art #english literature #british literature

The ships at anchor at Spithead may swing to and fro with the tide, and pitch heavily in a south-eastern gale; but so long as their anchors hold the ground they ride safely, and have no cause to fear. The hope of the true Christian is the “anchor of his soul, sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). His heart may be tossed to and fro sometimes, but he is safe in Christ. The waves may swell, and lift him up and down, but he will not be wrecked. ~ J.C. Ryle

#spithead #swinging london #tide #pitch #anchor