Spain Archive

  • Eyewitness Account of the Siege of Gibralter (Never Before Published)

    Eyewitness Account of the Siege of Gibralter (Never Before Published)

    The following is a newly translated and never before published (in English and/or in the last century, anyway) set of letters describing the Siege of Gibralter from the Devon Records Office. Very exciting Ref No: 346M/F/160 – 1782 – ‘Noticias de Europa y America’, manuscript book in Spanish describing the siege of Gibraltar Letter written in [...]

    Read More

  • An Overview of The Great Siege of Gibralter

    An Overview of The Great Siege of Gibralter

    The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War of Independence. This was the largest action fought during the war in terms of numbers, particularly the Grand Assault of 18 September 1782. It was the longest siege endured by the British [...]

    Read More

  • Spanish Naval Uniforms During the Napoleonic Era

    Spanish Naval Uniforms During the Napoleonic Era

    While the heroes of our beloved series have little direct interaction with the Spanish navy, they often share the waves with them, knowingly or not. The following is a guide describing the various uniform regulations that applied to the Spanish navy during our time period. There are images that go with the description as well. [...]

    Read More

  • The Adventures of James Buckingham 2/2: Captivity

    The Adventures of James Buckingham 2/2: Captivity

    When we last left our hero, 13 year-old James Silk Buckingham, he was being transported from the French corvette that had captured his packet ship to the Spanish city of Corunna, where he was to be imprisoned. What dire fate is in store for our young hero?! Read on… Autobiography of James Silk Buckingham Chapter [...]

    Read More

  • The French, Russian and Spanish Navies in Aubrey’s Day

    The French, Russian and Spanish Navies in Aubrey’s Day

    As an island nation, England’s navy has always been of primary importance to its security, and by the Napoleonic era their navy was arguably the best in the world. Few countries could match them and even fewer tried. But they were not the only fish (ships? Terribly mixed metaphor) in the sea. France, Russia and [...]

    Read More

  • Ship Losses During the French Revolutionary War (1793 – 1802)

    Ship Losses During the French Revolutionary War (1793 – 1802)

    Ship losses during the Revolutionary War from 1793 through to late 1802 are very revealing as to the strength of the British navy. Although the French and Spanish were the main adversaries the British also had to contend with the Dutch (under the guise of the Batavian Republic) and the Danes. There is also one [...]

    Read More

  • The State of Aubrey’s Royal Navy

    The State of Aubrey’s Royal Navy

    Just what kind of situation is Jack getting himself into when he takes command of the Sophie in Master and Commander? The Naval Balance The naval balance of power during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was one-sided, with Britain having so large and powerful a fleet it could match all the other sea-faring nations put [...]

    Read More