The Royal Navy

Today’s speaker was Philip Ashe who gave us a well researched and detailed history of the Royal Navy.

In 1660 Charles 11 officially named the Commonwealth navy the Royal Navy, establishing a professional and permanent force. In 1677 started a ship building program for 30 new ships and often worked with Samuel Pepys. Three thousand mature Oak trees were used in building one Warship.

Over the coming Centuries The Royal Navy became a major force in policing the worlds seas, from stopping attacks by pirates on the Barbary coast and the slave trade to mapping out the worlds shipping routes, the Royal Navy had a duty of service to the World.

Philip Ashe concluded that due to lack of investment from the British governments over the years the Royal navy is a shadow of its former self.