WYLLE LECTURE - Nelsons Arctic Voyage: The Royal Navys first Polar Expedition 1773"

In the summer of 1773 the 14-year old Horatio Nelson took part in an expedition to the Arctic, which came close to ending his naval career before it had begun. The expedition was to find a navigable northern passage between the Atlantic and Pacific, and was supported by the Royal Society and King George III. Drawing on the ship's journals, ships' muster books and expedition commander Phipps' journal from the National Archives, the Peter Goodwin creates a picture of the expedition, the route taken and life on board. It also provides an insight into a great naval commander at
the earliest stages of his career and considers how these experiences might have shaped his later career and attitudes.

Peter Goodwin served in the Royal Navy in nuclear submarines, qualifying as a marine engineer. Subsequently, he worked in Glasgow as a consultant design engineer, before completing an MPhil at the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of St. Andrews. Between 1991-2011, he was the Keeper and Curator of HMS Victory, HM Naval Base
Portsmouth. He is widely acknowledged as one of the leading writers on the sailing warship.

Last updated 7:46pm on 26 April 2024