Oceans and Explorations
The Atlantic: Oceanography and Ecology:
A graphic view of this dynamic ocean’s formation and possible future changes with a view of marine life
The Pacific Ocean: Oceanography & Ecology:
Description of the vast and contrasting ocean that covers half the world with profound influences on the global climate and our future. Beyond superlatives, the Pacific also has some of the most beautiful seascapes and islands in the world.
The Western Pacific Ocean & Tasman Sea:
Oceanography and ecology of these vast waters, exquisite islands and their hazards to sailors. New Zealand and Australian waters are the most extensive marine preserves in the oceans.
The Mediterranean: Oceanography & Ecology
The natural history and fate of the sea that has been a cradle of civilization and is now one the world’s busiest seas of commerce and culture.
The Baltic: Oceanography & Ecology
A nearly enclosed sea with little flow into the North Sea, the Baltic has had a natural history as a lake, then a flooded sea, with interesting seascapes and wildlife, even in its wintery iciness.
The Caribbean Sea: Oceanography & Ecology
This “Mediterranean of the Americas” has unique sea features and weather dangers amidst the beautiful islands and shores it affects. Beneath the azure seas are surprising creatures and geological features.
The Arctic:
The icy ocean that is losing its cap, with serious consequences for wildlife and the world climate, and a new arena for competing nations
Alaskan Seas: Oceanography & Ecology
A view of the great Alaskan seascape, with its many islands and passages and the sea life that thrives here, from the remote Aleutians to Dutch Harbor and Homer on Kodiak Island to the Inner Passage.
The North Sea: oceanography and ecology.
This shallow yet famously rough sea both divides and connects Northern Europe, with many historic sea battles and current environmental issues.
The Indian Ocean:
the oceanography and ecology of this ocean that connects ancient civilizations and contemporary development of pan-Asia trade, the peaceful ocean waters roiling with human controversies.
Ancient Trade Routes of the Indian Ocean:
the Maritime Silk Route Tales of the ancient trade routes of these vital waters linking Asia, Africa and Europe East, with discoveries of shipwrecks and ship reconstructions, including the recent gift of a large wooden dhow by the King of Oman to China.
The Red Sea:
Ancient myths and current wonders of this strategic passage between continents, with the dramatic history of the Suez Canal and its recent widening.
When China Ruled the Waves:
The history of the “treasure fleets” from Ming era China which pioneered sea routes to India, Arabia, and Africa before Europeans “discovered” these regions. What would the world have become if the Chinese continued their sea explorations?
Asian Sea & Straits:
Strategic passages between Asian waters have been the scene of centuries of disputes, from the Sunda Strait to the Japan Sea to the Bering Strait. Old rivalries are now compounded by new contenders over key islands and passages.
Who Owns Asian Waters?
A discussion of the contemporary issues of territoriality in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, all of which have historic roots and modern consequences.
Cape Horn: the world’s most dangerous sea passage
The towering rocks of the islands at the tip of South America have claimed more ships and lives than any other sea strait. Once feared my sailors, Cape Horn is now the ‘Everest of Sail’ for modern adventurers.
Celestial Navigation:
Stars lead the way across the sea, whose astronomical principles are readily demonstrated with practice of the ship’s sextant and nautical almanac.
Polynesian Navigation:
Paths across the Pacific How ancient voyagers found their way across the Pacific using intimate knowledge of the sky and sea reading waves and clouds.
The Age of Viking Exploration:
tales of the discoverers that made our modern world, with an account of Rollo of Alesund, founder of Normandy, traditional navigation techniques and news about some contemporary explorers.
The Age of Exploration
How Europe discovered, conquered and transformed the world, and made the contacts and exchanges that led to our global culture.
Columbus: The Mystery Man who changed world history Questions abound about the origins of the Admiral of the Oceans, his intentions and death. The details of the most famous sailor in history are still a mystery after 500 years.
Sir Francis Drake:
Patriotic Pirate El Draque’- the Dragon’ who ‘singed the beard of Spain’s King Phillip’ attacking his treasure ships and expanding England’s mastery of the seas.
The Epic Voyage of Magellan:
the First Circumnavigation The tale of dramatic exploration at the cost of the life of its leader, an icon of his Age of Exploration. naming the Straits for him ever after his discovery.
The Shackleton Expedition:
Triumph in Failure A profile of courage and determination in the face of near certain doom, a lesson in leadership which is still inspiring to new generations.
The Expeditions of Captain Cook:
The adventures of the steadfast man who mapped the Pacific from the Bering Strait to the Antarctic and explored New Zealand and the Australian coast. Why this greatest of navigators tragically met his death on the beaches of Hawaii is still subject of speculation.
Piracy: The Ancient and Contemporary Scourge of the Seas
The world’s third oldest profession, still recruiting, and dangerous in many seas. Was piracy the original form of democracy at sea? Don’t be fooled or taken hostage! argghh!!