The team had the opportunity to film on an authentic, wooden tall ship, similar to those used by the Royal Navy in the 18th century. The ship is called Phoenix, a two-masted Brig based in Penzance.
The height from the waterline to the top of Phoenix’s mast is over 80 feet, a long way to fall. Nevertheless, we thought it would be a great idea to challenge Dan Snow to climb to the top of her rigging.
While climbing the rigging, Dan learned about the vital job done by the rigging monkeys in Nelson’s Navy. It's easy to see why it was considered one of the most demanding and dangerous roles on a ship. Next it was time for Dan to drop the sail, then stow it away again.
After being shown the ropes, quite literally, and close to finishing his crash course as a rigging monkey, there was only one thing left for Dan to do. Reach the very top of the mast.
Up Next in Treasures Revealed
-
Rodin and the Art of Ancient Greece
Born in Paris in 1840, François-Auguste-René Rodin is quite possibly the most famous sculptor in recent history. Considered by many to be the first ‘modern’ sculptor, his works such as ‘The Kiss’ and ‘The Thinker’ have become iconic throughout the world. He possessed a unique ability to model a c...
-
Weapons of War: Firearms Challenge
In this video exclusive to the History Hit YouTube channel, Louee Dessent and Luke Tomes headed to the Royal Armouries Museum firing range in Leeds to shoot three guns spanning four centuries of history!
With the help and guidance of Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at Royal Armouries in Leeds, Jo...
-
How Much Damage Can an 18th Century C...
How much damage will an 18th century cannon do to our wooden targets? History Hit's Dan Snow tested out this replica naval cannon on a firing range and the results were shocking.
Trafalgar Day means only one thing. It’s time to fire a late-18th Century cannon.
In this video, historian Dan Snow...
1 Comment