World's Greatest Ships

Here is the extraordinary story of the Flagship of England’s most notorious pirate, Sir Francis Drake. Sent on a secret mission to plunder Spanish ships in the Pacific, the Golden Hind’s voyage was packed with adventure.

One of the most glamorous ships of her day, Cutty Sark made her name racking precious cargoes of tea from Shanghai to London. The ship endured long vagabond years of ‘tramping’, when she was mistreated by her captains and deserted by her crews.

This is the story of Henry VIII’s great warship, a vast vessel that went down killing more than four hundred men. Over the years a host of theories have emerged to explain the disaster, even blaming King Henry VIII himself. But who was really responsible?

Here is the incredible story behind what was once the longest passenger ship in the world. Designed by Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this vast vessel redefined shipbuilding, pioneering innovations that are still found on ships to this day.

This the story of the only surviving British warship to bombard the Normandy coast on D-Day. Host Rob Bell clambers aboard, experiencing first-hand the awesome power of its guns. He gets a taste of life on board, stepping into the shoes of sailors.