Article: Seven Lost Cities of India

The following link is to an article on the lost cities of India – very interesting.

For more visit:
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/seven-lost-cities-of-india/9982

Article: British Shipping Lost in World War II

The following link is to a very interesting article about the shipping lost by Great Britain during World War II.

For more visit:
http://longstreet.typepad.com/thesciencebookstore/2010/11/quiet-images-of-great-loss-and-heroismbritish-navy-losses-1945.html

Article: Vintage Police Photos

The following link is to an article with a number of vintage police photos from around the world – very interesting.

For more visit:
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/126629

Video Documentary: 1421 – The Year China Discovered America?

The following two videos show a documentary investigation into claims made by Gavin Menzies in his book, ‘1421 – The Year China Discovered America.’ The book itself is a fascinating read and puts forward an interesting theory which seems to be fairly well contradicted by the evidence brought forth in the documentary. Though the theory cannot be completely rejected based on historical evidence, the evidence that does exist seems to disagree with the theory. Though this is the case there is much historical interest in the documentary, as it presents the story of Admiral Zheng He and the Chinese Treasure Fleet.

Article: The Myth of the 8 Hour Sleep

The following link is to an article about the historical method of sleeping – a quick and interesting read.

For more, visit:
http://www.neatorama.com/2012/02/22/the-myth-of-8-hour-sleep/

Today in History – 24 May 1830

Mary Had a Little Lamb is Published

OK, just a little trivial history for today perhaps – though I am sure that some people will see this as very interesting news. ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb,’ that is the nursery rhyme, was first published on this day in 1830 by publishers Marsh, Capen & Lyon. The nursery rhyme was written by Sarah Josepha Hale
and was apparently based on a real life situation.

For a book of poems for children by the author Sarah Hale, including Mary Had a Little Lamb –

Visit the Internet Archive at:
http://www.archive.org/details/poemsforourchild00haleiala

 

Today in History – 9 May 1671

England: Thomas Blood Attempts to Steal the Crown Jewels

On this day in 1671, Colonel Thomas Blood attempted to steal the crown jewels of England in a daring robbery that went wrong very quickly. The attempted robbery took place in the Tower of London where the jewels were on public display.

The whole of Blood’s life is interesting, as he continually pops up in the chronology of England’s history during the period of his life (1618-1680). He plays a role in the civil war, was a major player during an Irish revolt against Charles II, was involved in an attempted assassination or two and his attempted theft of the crown jewels.

An account of his life can be found at the Internet Archive:
http://www.archive.org/details/remarksonlifedea00londrich

 

Today in History – 28 April 1789

William Bligh: Mutiny on the Bounty

William Bligh was born on the 9th September 1754 to Francis and Jane Bligh in St Tudy, Cornwall. He was signed up for a career in the Royal Navy when aged 7 in 1761.

In 1776, Bligh was with Captain James Cook as Sailing Master on the Resolution for Cook’s third and final voyage during which Cook was killed. Following this Bligh served on various ships and saw military action at a number of locations including Gibraltar in 1782.

In 1787 Bligh was made commander of the Bounty. On this day in 1789, the mutiny on the Bounty took place. The mutiny was led by Fletcher Christian, Master’s Mate. Bligh and a large number of the crew were provided with a ship’s launch and a small amount of provisions and Bligh made for Timor (from near Tonga). The journey was completed in 47 days and covered a remarkable distance of 6 700km.

It is thought that the mutiny took place in order to escape from the hardline discipline of Bligh and to escape to the island pleasures of Tahiti. Evidence would suggest that Bligh was far more easy going than other captains, though the future ‘mutiny’ in Sydney (see below) would suggest otherwise. Bligh was treated well in the court-martial and was acquitted.

From the Bounty, Bligh served in various roles, including Governor of New South Wales from the 13th August 1806 to the 26th January 1808. His post ended with the Rum Rebellion, which essentially was an on land mutiny by the New South Wales Corps under Major George Johnston. He succeeded Philip Gidley King and was replaced by Lachlan Macquarie.

Bligh’s rise through the ranks of the Royal Navy continued until he was appointed Vice Admiral of the Blue in 1814, though he never again received an active command. He died on the 7th December 1817.

As an interesting side point, the current premier of Queensland (Anna Bligh) is a descendant of William Bligh.