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dockyardtalk.bsky.social
My name is Beck ⚓Amateur naval historian mainly looking at the Royal Navy from 1790 to 1815. 📖Dyslexic MA Naval/Maritime history Student in the most landlocked part of the UK. - deferred until Sept 2025 #NavalHistory #SignalHistory
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Preserved Killick Day! ⚓️ 27th May mark the date. Celebrated by fans of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series, it honours Killick—the ever-grumbling steward famed for his toasted cheese, loyalty, and sharp tongue. A toast (and cheese) to one of fiction’s finest supporting characters!

😴

First day feeling a bit more myself again — so of course, I built a mast in the garden! What else would a naval history nerd do? Signal flags are flying, the sun's out, and the spirit is lifting. #DockyardTalk #NavalHistory #SignalFlags #RoyalNavy #BackyardFleet #GeorgianNavy

Back aboard my stone, Frigate after a delayed flight out of Stockholm. Unpleasant flight and a bit of a bad breathing episode once on the ground, but glad to be back aboard. Time for rest 🤒

Vasa completed, lasted about as long as I dared on my feet. Definitely coming back to spend longer going around her, maybe pick a slightly quieter day. #Stockholm25

You can't capture the sense of scale of her. #Stockholm25

The moment is here! #Stockholm25

Something about being able to visit an actual shop. Happy Beck and purchased some flags :) #Stockholm25

Rough night, but last day here in Stockholm slowly going to make the most of it. Check out, visit a flag shop, Vasa Museum, collect bags, and then head home. Still going round like patient Zero! #Stockholm25

Well, it's been a generally rough day, headed back to the cabin and slept for most of the afternoon. Unfortunately, I can't wait to be back to my own bed. Well, #Stockholm25 has been a bit of a wash out :-(

Lovely morning out on the water, a bit on the cooler side, though, mind! Our vessel "Ostana " built in 1906, is still working. #Stockholm25

Morning! Better night sleep, but rough morning so far. However, taking it easy and off on a 2.5 hour voyage around the archipelago that makes up Stockholm.

Lovely evening down down at the waterfront in Old town.

I've been back at the cabin for a few hours, and I slept finally! It's time to go and hunt for some dinner. Never one to pass up some Maritime artwork

Today's plan was to finally see the Vasa Museum. Apparently, this involved a night struggling to breathe, a trip in a Swedish ambulance, and most of the day in their lovely A&E. And my very own case of Bronchitis 🤒

Booked in at our accommodation, wasn't happy with the room so paid the extra and upgraded to the Captains cabin 😂 Epic! #NavalHistory #Stockholm25

It's finally time! 🇬🇧🛫➡️🛬🇸🇪 #NavalHistory

Victory at Spithead, 1805 ⚓️🇬🇧 Victory (104) lies at anchor off the Isle of Wight, proudly flying her full suite of colours: the White Ensign at her stern, the Union Flag at the jackstaff, and the Vice Admiral of the White flag from her foretopmast. 🎨 Derek Gardner #NavalHistory #AgeOfSail

A little hyper focused on my Policing role, it seems at the moment. Tick off a first for our Force as the Police Incident Commander for a fire scene. #SpecialConstable #MyOtherHat

On route back from the seeing the Doctor and spotted a Royal mail van with the new royal cypher and crown gave an audible "Oh wow, cool"

"Blue at the Mizzen" Surprise (28) rounding Cape Horn and now battles northward, off Cape Pilar. Reefed sails, topgallant masts struck—crew to deck, readying to tack. Still, she presses on, defiant in the face of the Pacific’s wrath. #NavalHistory #GeoffHunt #MaritimeArt

“Pass the word for the Doctor…” ⚓️🫖 Been laid low the past two weeks with something between a cold and the scurvy! But had a chat with the Yeoman of the Admiralty—something exciting may be on the horizon. Watch this space. #NavalHistory #NavalHistoryTalk #SickBerth

Taking Matters Into My Own Hands! 🚩⚓If I can’t hoist flags where I wanted to… I’ll hoist them where I can! Let’s call it an investment in morale; the Blue Ensign will fly proudly from my own little stone. frigate.#NavalHistory #FlagFlying #StoneFrigate #Project1805 #DockyardTalk

Answer Time! 🚩📖 1️⃣ Telegraph Signal Cipher – This indicates the signal is using Popham’s Marine Vocabulary. The telegraph flag always precedes coded messages. 2️⃣ 2809 – "The stranger is a Corsair." Straight from the 1805 signal book—clearly not a friendly visitor! #NavalHistory #SignalFlags

HMS Agamemnon (1781) – Nelson’s Favourite ⚓🎨 Digital artwork by P.R. Dobson. The mighty Agamemnon, a 64-gun ship of the line, comes to life in this stunning render. Launched in 1781. A ship with grit, character, and an impressive service record. #NavalHistory #Nelson #AgeOfSail

The British Hulk at Her Mooring ⚓ Possibly an old 24-gun frigate, now serving out her final years as a hulk. These worn but dignified vessels were once familiar sights in UK ports, serving as receiving ships, accommodation hulks, or even prison hulks. #NavalHistory #AgeOfSail #DockyardTalk

"She’s Signalling, Sir!" 🚩📡Time for a Signal Quiz! Clues will be drawn from 1805-era flags—can you decode the message? Let’s see who among you knows your Nelsonian signals from your pendants! Eyes to the masthead, shipmates…#NavalHistory #SignalFlags #1805 #Project1805 #AgeOfSail #DockyardTalk

@martocticvs.bsky.social I've been looking over your models of the Seventy Four ships of the line. Would you be open for a DM?

Last week was a tough one—first in a while. The day job threw up its usual hurdles, and hearing I won’t be able to hoist my flags on Victory hit harder than expected. Bit of a low weekend, but the sea’s always calm again in time. Onward. #DockyardTalk #NavalHistory #MentalHealth #Project1805

Signal 25 being flown from her foretop "25 - Attack or harass the Rear of the Enemy." #Signal1805 #NavalHistory

HMS Euryalus – 36-Gun Frigate ⚓️🎨 Euryalus under full sail, painted with Geoff Hunt’s signature energy and precision. This 36-gun frigate served with distinction, notably at Trafalgar, where she relayed Nelson’s final orders and later escorted Victory home. #NavalHistory #GeoffHunt

Obviously disappointed but not overly surprised. It's still amazing to think in which circle higher circles this little project has been spoken about in. First Sea Lords Office, Victory wardroom, Admiralty Library!

Unfortunately, after being signed off by the First Sea Lords office, the NMRN has now politely declined my request to hoist "Engage, More Closely." Due to the risk to their temporary yards and halyards on board VICTORY. I'm pretty sure they are the same size used currently 🤔 HeyHo #Signal1805

Some Solid Advice for Your Modern Flag-Flying Needs 🚩📏 Whether you're hoisting colours on land or sea, it's Perfect for anyone adding a little naval flair to their stone frigate! @cunliffetom 🎥 youtu.be/W8b2aEMg-MY?... #Flags #ModernVexillology #NavalTradition #SignalFlags #DockyardTalk

A Year On – Tattoo Update ⚓🖋️ It’s been a year since I finally pulled the trigger on my naval tattoo—and today I realised… I never took any proper photos of it! Still love it just as much as day one. Time to fix the photo situation soon! #NavalHistory #SailorInk #TattooTradition #DockyardTalk

#Project1805 – Flag Locker Progress 🚩⚓Moving forward with my 1805 flag locker project! Ideally aiming for a full set in NATO Size 10, but currently sourcing a smaller set to fly from the flagpole here at my own little stone frigate. #NavalHistory #SignalFlags #StoneFrigate #Project1805

"This Ship is England." ⚓ In 2019 I was lucky enough to visit San Diego and stumble upon this lovely lady. Sadly, I couldn’t go aboard—deck maintenance was underway. Next time! #NavalHistory #MasterAndCommander #AgeOfSail #Surprise #DockyardTalk

"At Anchor off Plymouth" ⚓️🇬🇧 Two British two-deckers lie quietly at anchor off Plymouth, the flagship in the foreground flying the flag of a Vice Admiral of the Blue from her foretop. The Admiral’s barge pulls away, heading ashore—duty never sleeps. #NavalHistory #AgeOfSail #Dominic Serres

Rather lovely rum, this one... Goes down a little too easy, mind you. The kind that sneaks up like a cutter in the night. Might need to splice the mainbrace again soon! #RumRations #NavalTraditions #DockyardTalk #SpliceTheMainbrace

"Doctor to the Great Cabin!" ⚓️🛏️Struck down and feeling a bit burnt out—time for rest and a guilty pleasure: classic black-and-white WW2 US Navy sub films .Does anyone have suggestions for a good watch while I recover in my hammock? Silent running and all that…#NavalHistory #WWIISubmarines

Volume 3 has finally arrived! ⚓️ This brilliant volume dives deep into the masts, sails, and rigging of a Seventy-Four Gun Ship of the Line. An absolute must for anyone building, researching, or just dreaming of these majestic warships. #NavalHistory #ProjectSeventyFour #AgeOfSail #RiggingNerd

I'm looking for one of those cheesy pictures. Which do we prefer? #NavalHistory