Speaker: Captain Michael Barritt, Royal Navy, Author.

To launch his latest book with Yale University Press, Nelson’s Pathfinders: A Forgotten Story in the Triumph of British Sea Power, five case studies will be presented of Royal Naval personnel who gathered hydrographic information that informed decision-making and enabled the effective application of British sea power in the conflict with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France and their tumultuous aftermath. The central figure is Captain Thomas Hurd who realised a vision, forged in war-time, for a specialist cadre whose contribution to central strategic planning and front-line operations proved crucial in later wars and remains pertinent today.

About the speaker: Captain Michael Barritt served as Hydrographer of the Navy after service afloat in many of the sea areas described in his latest book Nelson’s Pathfinders. He is a Past President of The Hakluyt Society, and a long-standing member of The Navy Records Society and The Society for Nautical Research.

This event is open to the public and free to attend both in-person and online (via Zoom). In-person spaces are limited, so register now to secure your spot!

For those joining online, the Zoom link will be sent by email two days before the event.