Spithead: An Informal History

by Michael Lewis

Overview

As a strategically vital access route to southern England and as the anchorage for Portsmouth, Britain’s premier naval base, the waters of Spithead reflect much of the UK’s naval history. They have seen piracy and battles, countless departing and returning fleets, royal visits and naval reviews, courts martial and the ‘Spithead Breeze’ mutiny of 1797. Originally published in 1972, this book draws together the many and varied strands of history that have given Spithead its significance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040429792
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/01/2025
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	220

About the Author

Michael Arthur Lewis (1890-1970) read history at Trinity College, Cambridge, followed by a year at Grenoble University (and would have played in the French national rugby team had the authorities not discovered that he was British). His subsequent academic career was spent wholly in naval education, teaching at the Royal Naval College Osborne (1913-20, serving as lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery in World War I), at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth (1920-34) and finally as Professor of History and English at the Royal Naval College Greenwich (1934-55). A fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, he was active in the Navy Records Society (vice-president) and the Society for Nautical Research (president). In 1952-3 he introduced all 26 episodes of the American documentary series Victory at Sea on BBC television, earning the public soubriquet of ‘the TV Prof’. He authored or edited 22 books: two of light verse, six thrillers (‘clutch and throttle’ as he called them), thirteen on naval history, and one on genealogical gleanings from his own family tree. He retired in 1955, having been awarded a CBE for services to naval education.

Date of Birth:

October 15, 1960

Place of Birth:

New Orleans, LA

Education:

Princeton University, B.A. in Art History, 1982; London School of Economics, 1985

Table of Contents

1.Spithead Before the Rise of Portsmouth 2. The Middle Ages 3. Actions Fought In or Near Spithead A: The Battle of Spithead, 1545 B: The Armada – The Fight Off Spithead C: Actions Since 1588 4. Accidents In or Near Spithead 5. The Eighteenth-Century Courts Martial A: The Underlying Problem – Where the Navy Went Wrong B: The Toulon Courts Martial C: The Minorca Court Martial D: The Ushant Court Martial 6. Mutiny 7. Royal Yachts, Visits and Reviews 8. Levels A: Under Spithead B: On the Surface of Spithead C: Just Above Spithead D: High Over Spithead 9. Amateurs Afloat Robert Sutherland.

Editorial Reviews

Review of Spithead:

‘A very fine little book (200 pages), the last book written by the great master. I found it a great pleasure to read. Should be of interest to those interested in British naval history.’ Akorps, via Amazon, 2019

From the Publisher