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
-
Wellington Bomber
Archival footage and interviews with Flt. Lt. Rupert "Tiny" Cooling distinguish this fascinating documentary special on the preeminent British bomber of the Second World War: the Wellington.
-
D-Day Secrets - Excavating the Archives
In this special History Hit film to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Dan Snow meets celebrated military historian Saul David at the National Archives to dig into the top secret documents that tell the story of the incredible planning that went into D-Day.
Hidden in the archives for decades, t...
-
A Tour of The Wings Museum in West Su...
The Wings Museum’s unique collection and style makes it a must-see attraction for any World War Two enthusiast.
1 Comment