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The Captain's Log

 Learn more about our products, news, events, and history.
Trafalgar Day - 21 October

Trafalgar Day - 21 October

Commemorate the historic victory won by the Royal Navy, commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, over the com...
Peg Legs, Parrots and Pieces of Eight

Peg Legs, Parrots and Pieces of Eight

You hear it on the news every once in a while. Reports of piracy, usually around the Horn of Africa and the So...
Above us the Waves

Above us the Waves

Sailors used to call them the 'sardines' revenge': lots of men packed into a tin and covered with oil.
Help Preserve Classic Naval Aircraft

Help Preserve Classic Naval Aircraft

This year our charity partner is The Fly Navy Heritage Trust. Find out how we can help preserve their collecti...
Sunstone - the secret to Viking Navigation

Sunstone - the secret to Viking Navigation

Norse legends about a crystal with mystical powers. It sounds like a New Age fantasy...
The Nauticalia Raft Race

The Nauticalia Raft Race

This year we celebrate the 31st annual Nauticalia Raft Race, on the Thames at Shepperton. Find out how to ente...
Arthur Ransome - Swallows & Amazons

Arthur Ransome - Swallows & Amazons

At the age of forty-five, Arthur Ransome re-invented himself. And it's the later Ransome that most of us know ...
Nauticalia Ferry Continues 500 Year-old Service

Nauticalia Ferry Continues 500 Year-old Service

The Nauticalia Ferry continues a service that has operated from Shepperton for around 500 years, and enables p...
The Narrow Boat Trust

The Narrow Boat Trust

Over the last few years, Nauticalia customers have raised almost £100,000 to support maritime charities such a...
Help Support Jubilee Sailing Trust

Help Support Jubilee Sailing Trust

Over the last few years, Nauticalia customers have raised almost £100,000 to support maritime charities such a...
Timekeeping

Timekeeping

'The seven forty-three fast train to Victoria is running approximately seven minutes late...
Weather Forecasting

Weather Forecasting

"I get all the news I need from the weather report," sang Paul Simon in his 1970s hit The Only Livin' Boy in N...
Appeal of Bells

Appeal of Bells

Police cars, ambulances and fire engines all used to have them. Ships still do - at least those in service wit...
Henry Blogg - 'The Greatest of the Lifeboatmen'

Henry Blogg - 'The Greatest of the Lifeboatmen'

873 People Owed their Lives to 'The Greatest of the Lifeboatmen'. The Gold Medal is the RNLI's highest award f...
Supporting Mercy Ships

Supporting Mercy Ships

Thanks to the generosity of our customers, we were proud to present Mercy Ships with a cheque for £3,250 recen...
An introduction to the origins and use of the Sextant

An introduction to the origins and use of the Sextant

'Does anyone have the faintest idea where we are?'...is not a question you want to hear from the skipper, helm...
Naval Origins of Our Nautical Clothing

Naval Origins of Our Nautical Clothing

'Ready for inspection' Try to imagine. You pull alongside a British man 'o war. She's sleek, formidably effici...
Astronomy Telescope Buying Guide

Astronomy Telescope Buying Guide

You don't need to go far to learn more about the universe - with clear skies, you can observe the moon, stars,...
Nauticalia Supports The Sailors' Society

Nauticalia Supports The Sailors' Society

In previous years, Nauticalia customers have generously helped raise more than £85,000 for nautical charities ...
How to Set up and Read your Barometer

How to Set up and Read your Barometer

We’re often asked by our customers how to set up a new barometer so that they can create their own weather for...
Alfred The Great and Charles II

Alfred The Great and Charles II

Sticklers for detail insist: it's the Royal Navy - not the British Navy, as the media often describe it...
Treasures of the Tek Sing (True Star)

Treasures of the Tek Sing (True Star)

Shipwreck Tragedy - Antique treasure you can buy
Nauticalia customers help to save Dunkirk Little Ships

Nauticalia customers help to save Dunkirk Little Ships

Jerry Lewis, Trustee of the Dunkirk Little Ships Restoration Trust (DLSRT), accepted a cheque from Nauticalia ...
Sailing into the Sunset

Sailing into the Sunset

From the fjords to Newfoundland by longship
Telescopes

Telescopes

'The camera cannot lie...' Whoever coined that expression knew precious little about photography - or human na...