Comments on: Fraser Sturt – a short biography

By: Fraser

Fraser — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 10:41:45 +0000

Hi Edwin,
yes we will talk about the contribution that experimental archaeology has had to maritime archaeology. We’ll also be talking about navigation and piloting, its a topic that most of the team have an interest in, from early environmental navigation, through to the development of modern instrumentation.
yours
fraser

By: Edwin

Edwin — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 10:15:49 +0000

Have had an avid interest in the early history of seafaring and its land support for many years I am looking forward to this course, I only found out about it today. Will there be an element of experimental archaeology such as looking at the various reconstructions of prehistoric craft and the navigation/piloting skills used in the past?

By: Chris Lawrence

Chris Lawrence — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 08:38:48 +0000

Oh right, thank you. There seem to have been quite a few at that time that ended up in official enquiries that were afterwards held by Lord Mersey. I have seen these as topics together in several library books.

By: Fraser Sturt

Fraser Sturt — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 18:26:58 +0000

Hi Chris,
We’ll be looking a range of case studies, and responding to requests where we can. At present the ‘Lusitania’ hasn’t been singled out, but we’ll see what we can do!
yours
fraser

By: Fraser Sturt

Fraser Sturt — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 18:25:08 +0000

Hi Michael,
thanks for making the post, its been amazing to see how much interest there has been in the course already. From what you say of your background it sounds like you’re going to be very well placed to add a depth of experience to the course with regard to what its like to be at sea and working in maritime centres. For those of us that have put the course together this is one of the most exciting aspects of the online format, it’ll allow us not only answer questions, but put them to you and see the responses and ideas that come back and then discuss them. In this way we can extend discussion beyond the confines of the individual elements covered each week and allow people to expand their knowledge base. Do keep posting and let us know your thoughts, and we’ll strive to ensure that the course will be beneficial to you
yours
fraser

By: Chris Lawrence

Chris Lawrence — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 16:49:56 +0000

Following on from this, as Jackie Fisher and Tirpitz were mentioned: I would be interested to know whether the course includes the ‘Lusitania’?

By: Michael Burt

Michael Burt — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:33:54 +0000

Hi Fraser, thanks for your e-mail today and I am pleased to meet you through social media. I am looking forward to the course, I have never done an internet based one so it should be interesting. I am retired now but most of my working life, 47 years has been associated with a maritime theme, Devonport Dockyard and the Merchant Navy. I still maintain my links with the sea through having a small cabin cruiser which my wife and I use for estuary and river cruising.

I am very passionate about naval history and I do voluntary work at Devonport Naval Base Heritage Centre where I do research and displays. My period of interest is the Royal Navy 1898-1945 but particularly the Naval Arms Race with Imperial Germany 1898-1914 where I am fascinated by the tremendous personalities of Jackie Fisher, Tirpitz, Scott, Dreyer, Beatty and Jellicoe. I have recently become interested in underwater archaeology and Shipwrecks through SHIPS Project who have been given permission to dive on the sunken submarine A7 in Whitsand Bay.

Being an ardent supporter of the need to protect our maritime heritage for future generations, including shipwrecks, I hope that the course will be beneficial.

Regards, Michael Burt.