Ah, the Soviet Union – dazzling Mayday parades, heroic cosmonauts, indestructible cars, and luxury cruise vacations… Wait, what? Yes, luxury cruises. Despite a well-deserved Spartan
Maritime History
Chinese Junks: Emperors of the East
The Age of Sail – those three glorious centuries of European domination of the oceans – are considered by many on my side of the
Willem Ruys – From Ocean Liner to Cruise Ship
Having a Dutch uncle has its privileges, and I am not only referring to the generous portion of premium Gouda and wry humor on my
Monitor Novgorod – the Tsar’s Pancake-Warship
The late 19th century was an age of vigorous experimentation, with enough talent and money spent on extravagant naval innovations to make our modern shipbuilders
Christmas on the Titanic – What Would It Have Been Like?
As many other admirers of the legendary RMS Titanic, I have my spells of daydreaming – what if she hadn’t sunk on her maiden voyage?
The Northeast Passage: A Silk Road That Never Was
There is a reason why the Arctic passage to China is less known than the Silk Road: it never came into existence. But not for
Why Is the Malacca Strait So Important?
If you live in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, most of the things you own have once been on a ship, passing through the
9 Fascinating Facts about the RMS Titanic
You already know why the Titanic was so disastrously short on lifeboats, or how Bruce Ismay cheated death, or which ship picked up survivors the
History of the Port of Hong Kong: Part 2
The 20th century brought more prosperity and turbulence to Hong Kong, as the adolescent colony matured to become Asia’s leading commercial, logistical, and financial hub.
History of the Port of Hong Kong: Part 1
Despite a turbulent past, challenging present, and uncertain future, Hong Kong remains one of the most captivating and loved port cities in the world. And