Great British Ships

Season 2

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

Where to Watch Season 2

6 Episodes

  • The Endeavour
    E1
    The EndeavourEngineer Rob Bell returns with more investigations into British ships that changed the world, beginning with the tale of how a humble coal hauler became one of the nation's most famous vessels. He examines the history of HMS Endeavour and looks at James Cook's two missions in charge of the Royal Navy research vessel, taking in the observation of the 1769 transit of Venus and his voyage to Australia the following year.
  • The Queen Mary: Britain's First Super Liner
    E2
    The Queen Mary: Britain's First Super LinerRob Bell investigates the history of ocean liner the SS Queen Mary, finding out how the largest ship of its day could also become the fastest - achieving speeds that few large ships can match even 80 years later. On the passenger decks, he savours the art deco craftsmanship that made the vessel the much-loved `floating gentleman's club", where royalty rubbed shoulders with movie stars.
  • Scott & Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure: The Discovery
    E3
    Scott & Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure: The DiscoveryRob Bell boards the ship that kick started the age of polar exploration as he looks at the history of RRS Discovery, the world's first purpose-built scientific vessel. Heading to the Victorian shipbuilding capital of Dundee, Rob finds out why this was the only place in Britain that could make a ship capable of taking on the formidable ice floes of Antarctica, and tells the story of how a chance meeting in London would define the course of polar exploration.
  • The Mayflower
    E4
    The MayflowerThe Mayflower transported the first English Puritans from Plymouth to the New World in 1620. The Pilgrims and the ship's crew crew overcame almost impossible odds to establish a colony, which ultimately gave birth to the United States of America. Taking to the waters off the New England coast, Rob Bell recounts the dramatic story of the Mayflower's 66-day crossing, as she endured high seas and monstrous storms. In Mystic,Connecticut, Rob explores a full-sized replica of the Mayflower and in Plymouth, Massachusetts, unfolds the story of the ship's arrival in the New World.
  • Titanic
    E5
    TitanicRob Bell reveals the secrets of ill-fated liner the Titanic, whose maiden voyage became the most famous maritime disaster in history. In the Belfast shipyard where the Titanic was built, Rob explores how the city took on the daunting challenge of creating such a gigantic ship, and as the tragic story unfolds, he demonstrates why its groundbreaking safety systems ultimately failed, costing the lives of more than 1,500 people.
  • HMS Ark Royal
    E6
    HMS Ark RoyalRob Bell tells the dramatic story of the Second World War aircraft carrier, which hunted down some of Nazi Germany's most feared warships.

Cast of Season 2

  • Rob BellNarrator
  • Eric GroveSelf-Professor
  • Paul PattisonSelf-Historian
  • Joanna ThomasSelf-Curator
  • Simon PotterSelf-Historian
  • Robert RumbleSelf-Assistant Curator
  • Nigel CorlettSelf
  • Brian LaverySelf-Naval Historian
  • Nicola GrahamslawSelf-Ship's Conservation Engineer
  • Ron YardleySelf-Vetaran
  • Martin MaresSelf-Naval Historian
  • Toby MilliganSelf-Curator
  • Joanne PooleSelf-Tudor Historian
  • Edward McGownDirector
  • Jane HardstaffProducer
  • Luke McLaughlinProducer

 

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