Continuing his ongoing series looking at some of RINA’s most notable members, resident historian Mark Barton looks at the contribution of Sir John Thornycroft and his daughter Blanche Thornycroft The father and daughter team of Sir John Isaac Thornycroft (1843-1928) and Blanche Thornycroft (1873-1950) both played key roles with the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA). […]
To coincide with International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, maritime historian Dr. Jo Stanley looks at the contribution of the Institution’s women members and the challenges faced by women in the profession ‘What’s the use of nosing round seeking out anomalous women in old documents?’ That’s what any responsible historian worries about. Is their […]
To launch Women’s History Month, RINA historian Mark Barton looks at the life of a founder of the Women’s Engineering Society and one of RINA’s first female members Rachel Mary Parsons (1885-1956) was the daughter of Sir Charles Parsons, one of the key developers of the steam turbine which, at this time, was dominating propulsion […]
In a distressing turn of events, the iconic LV18, a preserved light vessel moored in Harwich, Essex, fell victim to a suspected arson attack. Emergency services rushed to the quay shortly after 9:05 pm on Friday, February 2nd, responding to reports of flames engulfing the historic vessel. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a group of individuals leaving […]
RINA Historian Mark Barton looks at the life and career of one of the Institution’s, and naval architecture’s, most influential figures William Froude (1810-1879) was the first person to formulate reliable laws for the resistance that water offers to ships (such as the hull speed equation) and thus enable ship designers to predict their stability […]
In the first in a regular series, RINA historian Mark Barton looks at some of the figures who helped shape naval architecture Up until the Napoleonic era shipbuilding remained a conservative affair; those responsible for ship design would usually begin life as shipwright apprentices, and learn their craft from their masters and hope to rise […]
By Mark Barton, RINA Historian For towns it is rare we know the exact day they came into being but that is the case for Devonport, the Royal Navy’s main home in the South West. By Royal Decree the town came into being on the 1st January 1824. This marked a step in the development […]
By Mark Barton, RINA historian In the maritime industry, we’re used to large elements of infrastructure being constructed to support dockyards, and regular disruptions to the global supply chain regularly highlight the importance of assuring that infrastructure remains resilient. 2023 marked the bicentenary of a project that was designed to do both of those but […]
Although the RINA is very much committed to serving the needs of today’s maritime industry, and our members in particular, we remain deeply proud of our long history. So it’s always nice to receive a blast from the past. Recently we’ve been ‘reunited’ with two artefacts dating back to the 19th century. Earlier this year […]
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects concluded another captivating Historic Ships Conference over two days at the National Maritime Museum Greenwich in late November, drawing maritime enthusiasts, scholars, and industry experts from around the world. The event showcased a fascinating array of presentations and activities, complemented by a visit to the Chatham Historic Dockyard and […]
South Korea has pledged to expand financial support measures and invest US$135.9 million in technological development for autonomous vessels and eco-friendly ships. According to the Ministry of Trade, the move aims to secure local shipbuilders’ position in the global market. Trade Minister Lee Chang-yang travelled to Ulsan to inspect shipyards and announced financial support plans […]
Is traditional wooden boatbuilding becoming a lost art? (images: Robin Zahler) What do harp-making, boot-making and slating have in common? The answer is that all three skills have made it onto Heritage Crafts’ Red List of Endangered Crafts, which ranks heritage craft skills at risk of dying out before they can be passed on to […]