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<\/a><\/p>\nAn initial talk on this theme was delivered whilst rounding Cape Horn<\/strong> in a large American ship in December 2008. Subsequently the first land-based presentation on this theme was given to the Dorset Branch of WSS<\/b> (World Ship Society) – who had booked a talk 14 months in advance. It was delivered in May 2009, followed by a presentation to the Tayside – Family History Society<\/b> (Dundee) in June 2009.<\/p>\n There is a forward plan of talks planned for societies and events which have a major family interest in, or link with, UK Maritime History.<\/p>\n There was a special presentation to a large gathering on RRS Discovery<\/b><\/i> in June 2009. The latter was sponsored by the Tayside – Family History Society<\/b> (Dundee). Other similar societies and Club bookings have followed.<\/p>\n One recent Talk (to a private Yachting Society<\/strong> with a keen interest in maritime matters) was sold-out at 160 seats. A delegation of members from the International Association of Capehorners<\/b> had also requested places – and a few late comers had standing room only! The popular questions and answers session included a rich variety of insights (from the learned audience) covering 19th century aspects of navigation, build materials, anti-fouling and top sailing speeds.<\/p>\n A further series of talks is scheduled for those with a significant family interest in (or link with) UK Maritime History.<\/p>\n Two talks were delivered on board a large cruise ship <\/b>navigating around New Zealand en route to the Tasman Sea<\/b>. The audience (of around 80 people) prompted an outstanding crop of interesting and fruitful questions. It was thought that the boisterousTasman passage probably reduced numbers who would have otherwise attended!<\/p>\n Two Presentations were given in November 2017<\/b> on a large ship (well-known Liner) in mid-Atlantic. The questions & answer sessions were, as usual, full of new information & insights from experienced passengers. This is much appreciated as it contributes greatly to building a better picture of the history of the period.<\/p>\n Some recent comments are:<\/p>\n ” . . . . .quite remarkable original photographs of the era”<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n ” . . . . brought some hitherto unclear seafaring history to life . . . . .”<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n ”\u00a0 . . . we want to book you again to have another great evening”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n ” . . . wonderful illustrated talk, giving fascinating details”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n ” . . . the speaker certainly knew his stuff . . . “ “. . . impressive photographs of that era”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n and<\/i>, <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n “why had I not heard of you before . . . . . you must keep your light under a bushell” <\/i><\/b>(Ed.- probably true)!<\/i> “Not to be missed”<\/i><\/b> said another attendee.<\/p>\n Presentations, with digitally-upgraded images of R&J Craig ships, have been given to subsequent audiences on-board two large Cruise Ships. Feedback included:<\/p>\n “The story explained why Scotland (a small country) became so well known around the world”<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n “I hadn’t appreciated that Britain had so many important ships – before the big Cunarders”<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n and, ” . .\u00a0 when is the next talk . . . I want to be there”!<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n A new presentation on “Circumnavigation”<\/strong> has been added to the inventory of Talks (since 2018). Another talk on the “White Ship disaster” (of November 1120) <\/b>has been presented on a number of occasions since 2022.\u00a0 An additional talk on the origins and development of the “Panama Canal”<\/strong> is in hibernation for use in future opportunities.<\/p>\n An International Maritime Forum<\/strong> was organised and facilitated by the author and web-coordinator (‘Bill’ Cumming) on the Queen Mary II<\/strong> in March 2019<\/strong>. It had contributions from the UK, USA, Italy and Canada. \u00a0<\/p>\n A forward schedule of speaking commitments was paused in 2020, <\/b>but several talks have been given since the end of Covid-19, including to a “Local History Group<\/strong>” on Tayside (September 2022) , keen to hear of the Seafaring History of the region. This was followed some months later by another specialised talk to a large assembly of Dundee Historians<\/strong> on the history (ancient to modern) of seafarers and ships emanating from the Firth of Tay – in June 2023.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The South West Maritime Heritage Society (SWMHS<\/strong>) hosted an inaugural Memorial Lecture, referencing the distinguished Maritime Historian David Clement <\/strong>, <\/strong>in Exeter in May 2024.\u00a0 The content was based on detailed further researches around the first 4-masted ship “sv County of Peebles<\/strong>“.<\/p>\n Several refreshed talks are scheduled over the course of 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you or your organisation would like to book a presentation on the above or similar subjects, please supply your organisation’s details in the “Contacts Section”.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A series of live presentations on the theme of the “High Point of Sailing Ships” and the\u00a0“People and Ships of R&J Craig of Glasgow” has been delivered to enthusiastic audiences – around the globe. An initial talk on this theme was delivered whilst rounding Cape Horn in a large American ship in December 2008. Subsequently … <\/p>\n
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