frank squarerig
@franksqrig.bsky.social
retired seafarer & naval aviator. Master square rigged sail training ships from 80 to 800 GT, now consultant & maritime historian. FLY NAVY
Reposted by frank squarerig
Perfect Tom Stoppard story from DTel obituary:
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
November 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Perfect Tom Stoppard story from DTel obituary:
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
Reposted by frank squarerig
Something ancient and wonderful for the weekend! 🤩
The world’s oldest known sculpture of a horse!
This tiny figurine was carved from mammoth ivory by an Ice Age artist some 40,000 years ago!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
The world’s oldest known sculpture of a horse!
This tiny figurine was carved from mammoth ivory by an Ice Age artist some 40,000 years ago!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
November 29, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Something ancient and wonderful for the weekend! 🤩
The world’s oldest known sculpture of a horse!
This tiny figurine was carved from mammoth ivory by an Ice Age artist some 40,000 years ago!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
The world’s oldest known sculpture of a horse!
This tiny figurine was carved from mammoth ivory by an Ice Age artist some 40,000 years ago!
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Reposted by frank squarerig
Recently digitised - a Royal Indian Navy motor launch runs aground in the Kaleindaung River in the Arakan coastal region of Burma, but her captain retains his sense of humour. #history #WW2 #filmcataloguing
Full film: IWM JIN 39 / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Full film: IWM JIN 39 / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
November 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by frank squarerig
Why documents shredded by the Stasi in 1989 are still being put together in archives by hand, rather than by using IT. www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/ddr-... via @dpa.com
Zerrissene Stasi-Akten: Weiter puzzeln per Hand statt per IT
www.sueddeutsche.de
November 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Why documents shredded by the Stasi in 1989 are still being put together in archives by hand, rather than by using IT. www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/ddr-... via @dpa.com
Reposted by frank squarerig
Let's start today with a rarity. Yes, the book itself is rare for sure, The Douay New Testament (wiki link below). But there is some historic damage to some of the pages and the repair is something I have only heard about, never seen: they have been STITCHED back together!
November 29, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Let's start today with a rarity. Yes, the book itself is rare for sure, The Douay New Testament (wiki link below). But there is some historic damage to some of the pages and the repair is something I have only heard about, never seen: they have been STITCHED back together!
Reposted by frank squarerig
According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database, 81 members of 6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers died between the date of this recording and the end of the Second World War in Europe. So some of the voices captured here may be those of men later killed.
November 26, 2025 at 8:24 AM
According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database, 81 members of 6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers died between the date of this recording and the end of the Second World War in Europe. So some of the voices captured here may be those of men later killed.
Reposted by frank squarerig
Today in 1944, at Roermond in the Netherlands, sound recordist Lt Peter Handford points his microphone at 6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, and captures their singing at an open air church service. 🔊 #history #ww2
Full recording: IWM 7697 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Full recording: IWM 7697 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
November 26, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Today in 1944, at Roermond in the Netherlands, sound recordist Lt Peter Handford points his microphone at 6th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, and captures their singing at an open air church service. 🔊 #history #ww2
Full recording: IWM 7697 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Full recording: IWM 7697 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Reposted by frank squarerig
Not great* that EU-UK defense fund talks break down the same day Trump looks to be making an end-run on a deal with Putin on Ukraine.
*Understatement of the year.
www.ft.com/content/22db...
*Understatement of the year.
www.ft.com/content/22db...
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
Discussions fail after Britain refuses to pay billions of euros in fees
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Not great* that EU-UK defense fund talks break down the same day Trump looks to be making an end-run on a deal with Putin on Ukraine.
*Understatement of the year.
www.ft.com/content/22db...
*Understatement of the year.
www.ft.com/content/22db...
Reposted by frank squarerig
Among all the other things Yermak's resignation shows that Ukraine is a democracy.
BREAKING: President Zelensky announces a major reset inside Ukraine’s Presidential Office: Head of Office Andriy Yermak is stepping down. Consultations on his replacement are set for tomorrow. Zelensky stresses unity is critical, no room for mistakes, division or retreat.
November 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Among all the other things Yermak's resignation shows that Ukraine is a democracy.
Reposted by frank squarerig
I see from my timeline that today's the day lots of Americans like to celebrate with a turkey.
I trust this suffices?
I trust this suffices?
November 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I see from my timeline that today's the day lots of Americans like to celebrate with a turkey.
I trust this suffices?
I trust this suffices?
& don't forget Royal Marines who broke through to join USMC
#OTD in 1950 the Battle of Chosin Reservoir begins. The operation became a defining moment of the Korean War and one of the proudest chapters in Marine Corps history.
usni.org/magazines/n...
usni.org/magazines/n...
70 Miles of Cold, Hard Road | Naval History Magazine - December 2010 Volume 24, Number 6
The 1st Marine Division’s breakout from the Chosin Reservoir was a defining moment, both in the Korean War and in the history of the Corps.
www.usni.org
November 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
& don't forget Royal Marines who broke through to join USMC
FUBAR
The MOD has paused all Ajax training after around 30 soldiers reported noise and vibration injuries, with Minister Luke Pollard ordering an urgent investigation.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/fresh-halt-t...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/fresh-halt-t...
Fresh halt to Ajax training after 30 troops unwell
The MOD has paused all Ajax training after around 30 soldiers reported noise and vibration injuries, with Minister Luke Pollard ordering an urgent investigation.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:06 AM
FUBAR
Reposted by frank squarerig
Who leaked the Witkoff call with Kremlin?
A - "The anglosaxons"
B - Ukraine
C - Rubio
D - Melania
A - "The anglosaxons"
B - Ukraine
C - Rubio
D - Melania
November 26, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Who leaked the Witkoff call with Kremlin?
A - "The anglosaxons"
B - Ukraine
C - Rubio
D - Melania
A - "The anglosaxons"
B - Ukraine
C - Rubio
D - Melania
Reposted by frank squarerig
I have written a post for the Department's research blog on my recent article (available open access - link in the blog) on the Madagascar campaign:
www.kcl.ac.uk/the-british-...
@dsdkings.bsky.social
www.kcl.ac.uk/the-british-...
@dsdkings.bsky.social
The British invasion of Madagascar, 1942: an unsung success that…
The British invasion of Madagascar in 1942 gets little attention. Yet it presents interesting aspects in terms of broad national strategy; the design and conduct of military operations; and the…
www.kcl.ac.uk
November 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I have written a post for the Department's research blog on my recent article (available open access - link in the blog) on the Madagascar campaign:
www.kcl.ac.uk/the-british-...
@dsdkings.bsky.social
www.kcl.ac.uk/the-british-...
@dsdkings.bsky.social
Absolutely nobody is surprised - fiasco tailor made for satirical movie! wonder who will star 🤣
"We've sorted out all the problems" might have been a bit premature then?
November 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Absolutely nobody is surprised - fiasco tailor made for satirical movie! wonder who will star 🤣
These were far more serious conversions than British AMCs & resulted in effective warships rather than badly armed big targets
#OTD 26/11/1939 #RememberRCN –The Royal Canadian Navy begins converting two Canadian National Steamship liners into armed merchant cruisers, starting with Prince Robert and followed by Prince David. Work on a 3rd vessel, Prince Henry begins in March 1940. Canadian National Railway Company
November 26, 2025 at 11:13 AM
These were far more serious conversions than British AMCs & resulted in effective warships rather than badly armed big targets
Reposted by frank squarerig
#OTD 26/11/1981 #RememberRCN –HMCShips ATHABASKAN, ALGONQUIN & PRESERVER sent to aid MV Euro Princess, badly holed & drifting towards oil rig Rowan Juneau off Sable Island. ATHABASKAN’s helicopters evacuated 44 from the rig, in 60 kt winds. ALG pic -For Posterity's Sake
November 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
#OTD 26/11/1981 #RememberRCN –HMCShips ATHABASKAN, ALGONQUIN & PRESERVER sent to aid MV Euro Princess, badly holed & drifting towards oil rig Rowan Juneau off Sable Island. ATHABASKAN’s helicopters evacuated 44 from the rig, in 60 kt winds. ALG pic -For Posterity's Sake
Reposted by frank squarerig
This end to the Constellation-class underlines the real problem the USN has in being able to conceive, design and build smaller, more limited role warships. A proven design was chosen to over come one set of issues only to require a redesign creating others.
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
Navy Cancels Constellation-class Frigate Program - USNI News
This post has been updated with a statement from Fincantieri The Navy is walking away from the Constellation-class frigate program to focus on new classes of warships the service can build faster, Sec...
news.usni.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:28 AM
This end to the Constellation-class underlines the real problem the USN has in being able to conceive, design and build smaller, more limited role warships. A proven design was chosen to over come one set of issues only to require a redesign creating others.
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
news.usni.org/2025/11/25/n...
Reposted by frank squarerig
The lights of the world's largest Christmas tree were switched on this week.
The Christmas tree in Dortmund is 45m tall, weighs 40 tonnes, is made of 1,200 Norway spruce trees & is crowned by a 4 metre-tall angel.
The giant tree is a key feature of the annual Christmas market.
The Christmas tree in Dortmund is 45m tall, weighs 40 tonnes, is made of 1,200 Norway spruce trees & is crowned by a 4 metre-tall angel.
The giant tree is a key feature of the annual Christmas market.
November 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM
The lights of the world's largest Christmas tree were switched on this week.
The Christmas tree in Dortmund is 45m tall, weighs 40 tonnes, is made of 1,200 Norway spruce trees & is crowned by a 4 metre-tall angel.
The giant tree is a key feature of the annual Christmas market.
The Christmas tree in Dortmund is 45m tall, weighs 40 tonnes, is made of 1,200 Norway spruce trees & is crowned by a 4 metre-tall angel.
The giant tree is a key feature of the annual Christmas market.
Reposted by frank squarerig
The @royalhistsoc.org is running a charitable donation campaign to fund the research of historians who lack support. The number of applications we're seeing is way up. I've been very lucky to have a career as a historian, I've donated, and I think this Christmas you should too. Pay it forward.
royalhistoricalsociety2.beaconforms.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:40 AM
The @royalhistsoc.org is running a charitable donation campaign to fund the research of historians who lack support. The number of applications we're seeing is way up. I've been very lucky to have a career as a historian, I've donated, and I think this Christmas you should too. Pay it forward.
Reposted by frank squarerig
So looking forward to this on Friday! Students are about to find out that the naval ram wasn’t only a weapon of war but popped up in almost every aspect of Greek and Roman life, from sex jokes to monumental displays, from women’s attire to amphora stamps….everywhere!
I’m happy to be invited to give a lecture on my naval ram research at the Institute for the History of Ancient Civilizations (IHAC) at Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China. Looking forward to visiting and exchanging ideas next month!
November 26, 2025 at 5:03 AM
So looking forward to this on Friday! Students are about to find out that the naval ram wasn’t only a weapon of war but popped up in almost every aspect of Greek and Roman life, from sex jokes to monumental displays, from women’s attire to amphora stamps….everywhere!
Reposted by frank squarerig
Until the Defence Investment Plan is published, the future of the programme, and of the UK’s only remaining helicopter manufacturing plant, remains uncertain.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-medium-h...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-medium-h...
New Medium Helicopter decision imminent
Until the Defence Investment Plan is published, the future of the programme, and of the UK’s only remaining helicopter manufacturing plant, remains uncertain.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Until the Defence Investment Plan is published, the future of the programme, and of the UK’s only remaining helicopter manufacturing plant, remains uncertain.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-medium-h...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-medium-h...
Reposted by frank squarerig
Excellent piece. Europe is losing time while still deluding itself over Trump not actually being on Putins side.
Just sent out this free piece. When the stories of the 28-point plan were first written, too many people went into overdrive to try and make excuses for Trump (He was not informed! He was not involved!). open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
We Seem Intent On Making Excuses For Trump Until He Destroys Us
Phillips’s Newsletter is a reader-supported publication.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Excellent piece. Europe is losing time while still deluding itself over Trump not actually being on Putins side.
Reposted by frank squarerig
2 photos - 85 years apart
1940: Londoners huddle in Underground while Nazi bombs rained down overhead.
Today, Ukrainians take shelter from Russian missiles & drones in Kyiv Metro.
Different times, different countries. London got thru it & so will Ukraine
📷 London Transport Museum, Yan Dobronosov
1940: Londoners huddle in Underground while Nazi bombs rained down overhead.
Today, Ukrainians take shelter from Russian missiles & drones in Kyiv Metro.
Different times, different countries. London got thru it & so will Ukraine
📷 London Transport Museum, Yan Dobronosov
November 26, 2025 at 4:38 AM
2 photos - 85 years apart
1940: Londoners huddle in Underground while Nazi bombs rained down overhead.
Today, Ukrainians take shelter from Russian missiles & drones in Kyiv Metro.
Different times, different countries. London got thru it & so will Ukraine
📷 London Transport Museum, Yan Dobronosov
1940: Londoners huddle in Underground while Nazi bombs rained down overhead.
Today, Ukrainians take shelter from Russian missiles & drones in Kyiv Metro.
Different times, different countries. London got thru it & so will Ukraine
📷 London Transport Museum, Yan Dobronosov
Reposted by frank squarerig
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.