Great British Ships

Season 1

Engineer Rob Bell reveals the secrets behind some of the historic ships that shaped the history of our island nation.

Where to Watch Season 1

6 Episodes

HMS Victory: Nelson's Great Warship
E1
HMS Victory: Nelson's Great WarshipHMS Victory was already 40 years old before it secured its place in history at Trafalgar. Rob discovers the extraordinary feats of engineering behind its construction, and the celebrity of its famous captain, Nelson.
The Mary Rose: Secrets From the Deep
E2
The Mary Rose: Secrets From the DeepHenry VIII's warship sank nearly 5 centuries ago killing more than 400 men. A host of theories to explain the disaster have emerged including enemy fire, the ship's builders and even the King himself.
HMS Belfast: WW2's Great Survivor
E3
HMS Belfast: WW2's Great SurvivorRob Bell delves into the fascinating history of HMS Belfast, the cruiser that played a critical role in some of the most dramatic battles of World War 2, and whose daring deeds helped defeat the Nazis.
Secrets of SS Great Britain
E4
Secrets of SS Great BritainIn the final part of his documentary series, Rob Bell uncovers the extraordinary story behind what was once the longest passenger ship in the world. Designed by Victorian engineering genius Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain rewrote the shipbuilding rulebook, pioneering innovations still found on almost all modern ships. Rob learns how the origins of the vast vessel lay in an off-the-cuff boast of Brunel's. Though the ship's early years were plagued by disaster, it finally met with success thanks to the Australian gold rush - and today 250,000 Australians can trace their direct ancestors to its passengers.
Cutty Sark: 150 Years of War & Speed
E5
Cutty Sark: 150 Years of War & SpeedRob Bell explores the extraordinary tea clipper Cutty Sark, a ship that endured drunken captains and murderous crews, inspired a whiskey and survived the coming of the steam age. Rob clambers aboard to experience first-hand the beauty and superior design of the ship. He delves into her tragic past - the vagabond years of `tramping', mistreatment by her captains and desertion by her crews
Golden Hinde: Drake's Royal Voyager
E6
Golden Hinde: Drake's Royal VoyagerRob Bell explores the extraordinary story of the Golden Hinde, the flagship of Elizabethan mariner, privateer and explorer Sir Francis Drake. Sent on a secret mission to plunder Spanish ships in the Pacific, the Golden Hinde's voyage was packed with adventure, from witchcraft and attempted mutiny to the supreme triumph of her most famous achievement, becoming the first English ship to sail around the world.