The Boats That Built Britain

Episode 1

The Matthew

30 mins

In 1497, explorer John Cabot set sail from Bristol in The Matthew and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. He landed in what is now Newfoundland, the first European to land on the mainland of North America since the Vikings in the 11th century. His discovery would change Britain and the world forever.

Episode 2

HMS Pickle

In 1805 the British navy under Nelson had just defeated the combined French and Spanish fleet at Trafalgar. This would have a huge influence on global politics and there were many people waiting for news of the outcome back in Britain. HMS Pickle was a new design of ship and was tasked with taking the news of the victory back to Britain.

Episode 3

The Phoenix

The square-rigger was arguably the most important ship in the development of the British Empire. After Trafalgar, with the seas patrolled by the Royal Navy, square-riggers could trade freely all over the world. Sailor and writer Tom Cunliffe sets out on the Phoenix, a two masted brig, to show how ships like this transformed Britain from a second-rate European power into the richest and most powerful nation on earth.

Episode 4

The Reaper

As the population of Britain increased and became more industrialised they had to be fed. There was fish aplenty in the North Sea off the east coast of Scotland. But they were dangerous waters for the open boats that first worked there. Over the years, and after many seamen were lost, they developed the lugger with a covered deck, massive sail area and large storage capacity. The steam engine helped raise the huge sail and haul in the nets.

Episode 5

The Pilot Cutter

As trade increased, ships from around the world came into and out from the port of Bristol. But Bristol is in the Seven estuary which has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world. The pilots knew the local waters and would guide the big ships into and out from the port. The Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter took the self-employed pilots out to the big ships in the fiercest of conditions.

Episode 6

The LCVP

The LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel) won't win any prizes for beauty looking as it does more like a floating box than a real ship. But it led the assault to free Europe from the Nazi tyranny. Developed by an eccentric American there were once 20,000 of these little boats in Britain. Today only a handful remain but their importance is still acknowledged.