frank squarerig
@franksqrig.bsky.social
retired seafarer & naval aviator. Master square rigged sail training ships from 80 to 800 GT, now consultant & maritime historian. FLY NAVY
Fascinating stuff.
I wrote this blog post to offer some initial reflections on a topic that I hope others will find as exciting as I do! The aim is to spark broader interest among students and scholars in comparative studies of seafaring and naval warfare in antiquity. 🌊⚔️🐏
Today on the blog, Stephen DeCasien (@sdecasien.bsky.social) discusses the parallel evolution of two ancient warships, one from Greece and one from China.
www.classicalstudies.org/scs-blog/ste...
www.classicalstudies.org/scs-blog/ste...
December 13, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Fascinating stuff.
Reposted by frank squarerig
“Ambitious in scope, rigorously researched & forensics in its assessments”, Misfire is “a must read” for anyone interested in the Malaya Campaign in #WWII & the #history of SOF: says me! Congratulations to @hisbpf.bsky.social on his latest 📖 📚
#WeHaveWays #Historybookposts
#WeHaveWays #Historybookposts
December 12, 2025 at 6:57 AM
“Ambitious in scope, rigorously researched & forensics in its assessments”, Misfire is “a must read” for anyone interested in the Malaya Campaign in #WWII & the #history of SOF: says me! Congratulations to @hisbpf.bsky.social on his latest 📖 📚
#WeHaveWays #Historybookposts
#WeHaveWays #Historybookposts
Reposted by frank squarerig
To be fair it’s going to be very funny when these clowns invent AGI and the super intelligent machine tells everyone to get offline, avoid processed food, stroll in the woods, seek community, eschew racism, pay high marginal rates of tax and ignore the ravings of deranged billionaires.
December 11, 2025 at 10:33 PM
To be fair it’s going to be very funny when these clowns invent AGI and the super intelligent machine tells everyone to get offline, avoid processed food, stroll in the woods, seek community, eschew racism, pay high marginal rates of tax and ignore the ravings of deranged billionaires.
Reposted by frank squarerig
#OTD in 1941, the destroyers Hayate and Kisaragi became the first Japanese surface warships to be sunk following Pearl Harbor. Hayate exploded after being hit by Marine 5" coast-defense guns while Kisaragi was sunk by Marine F4F-3 Wildcats during the Battle of Wake Island.
December 11, 2025 at 11:00 PM
#OTD in 1941, the destroyers Hayate and Kisaragi became the first Japanese surface warships to be sunk following Pearl Harbor. Hayate exploded after being hit by Marine 5" coast-defense guns while Kisaragi was sunk by Marine F4F-3 Wildcats during the Battle of Wake Island.
Reposted by frank squarerig
I don't think AI image is official. I can't decide whether this Great British Railways uniform is a step forward or backward, but that could just be the dazzle pattern
December 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I don't think AI image is official. I can't decide whether this Great British Railways uniform is a step forward or backward, but that could just be the dazzle pattern
Reposted by frank squarerig
A 1984 visit to Stahl Nordwest Leipzig, the only football pitch in the GDR that had a manhole cover in the middle of it www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBfm...
Einzigartig: Gullideckel auf dem Spielfeld! Stahl Nord-West gegen Lok Nord-Ost Leipzig, März 1984
YouTube video by Panorama digital
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:41 AM
A 1984 visit to Stahl Nordwest Leipzig, the only football pitch in the GDR that had a manhole cover in the middle of it www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBfm...
Reposted by frank squarerig
The depth and breadth of Melville's magnum opus never fails to amaze.
Here he is on naval procurement...
Here he is on naval procurement...
There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method.
December 12, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The depth and breadth of Melville's magnum opus never fails to amaze.
Here he is on naval procurement...
Here he is on naval procurement...
Reposted by frank squarerig
"Our history binds us together, both the good and the bad chapters."
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
December 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"Our history binds us together, both the good and the bad chapters."
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
– German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, hosted by His Majesty King Charles III, during the German State Visit to the UK, 3 December 2025
Constellation suffered from too many design changes from original, so for next frigate we are merly going for a "modified" design🤣🤣🤣
The new frigates might be modified National Security Cutters - which was one of the options for Constellation.
(If not frigate, why frigate shaped?)
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/navy...
(If not frigate, why frigate shaped?)
breakingdefense.com/2025/12/navy...
Navy wants new frigate in 2028, says service's acquisition head - Breaking Defense
Navy Secretary John Phelan recently told attendees at a private dinner that the new frigate would be a modified National Security Cutter, sources told Breaking Defense.
breakingdefense.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Constellation suffered from too many design changes from original, so for next frigate we are merly going for a "modified" design🤣🤣🤣
Reposted by frank squarerig
The loss of these ships was a shocking event for the Royal Navy, and marked the beginning of the end for battleships. It was the first time capital ships operating on the open sea were sunk solely by aircraft.(4/4)⚓
December 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The loss of these ships was a shocking event for the Royal Navy, and marked the beginning of the end for battleships. It was the first time capital ships operating on the open sea were sunk solely by aircraft.(4/4)⚓
Reposted by frank squarerig
So a few weeks ago I got to record an interview with all the amazing people at @tvpworld.bsky.social on the history of the Polish Navy and its role in the age of sail, World War II and into the modern age.
It’s now on YouTube 😊
youtu.be/3Mmxqrcel7I?si…#Historyr#Navalhistoryry
It’s now on YouTube 😊
youtu.be/3Mmxqrcel7I?si…#Historyr#Navalhistoryry
From defeating Bismarck to the age of drones: how a small navy punches above its weight
YouTube video by TVP WORLD
https://youtu.be/3Mmxqrcel7I?si…
December 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
So a few weeks ago I got to record an interview with all the amazing people at @tvpworld.bsky.social on the history of the Polish Navy and its role in the age of sail, World War II and into the modern age.
It’s now on YouTube 😊
youtu.be/3Mmxqrcel7I?si…#Historyr#Navalhistoryry
It’s now on YouTube 😊
youtu.be/3Mmxqrcel7I?si…#Historyr#Navalhistoryry
Reposted by frank squarerig
Interesting that so many of the leading Trump-fascists, that are into anti-immigration and white supremacy, themselves have recent immigrant background or are married with immigrants. Reminds me of a serial killer in Sweden, who was bullied for being an immigrant himself, that targeted immigrants.
December 10, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Interesting that so many of the leading Trump-fascists, that are into anti-immigration and white supremacy, themselves have recent immigrant background or are married with immigrants. Reminds me of a serial killer in Sweden, who was bullied for being an immigrant himself, that targeted immigrants.
Reposted by frank squarerig
Berta Persson 1st #Swedish woman bus driver. Bus licence inspector failed her twice for being a woman. 3rd time had male driver witnesses: passed! Nicknamed Buss-Berta, she drove Kappelshamn-Visby route from 1927-34, had 8th child during time. d. #OTD 9 Dec 1961 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berta_P...
December 9, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Berta Persson 1st #Swedish woman bus driver. Bus licence inspector failed her twice for being a woman. 3rd time had male driver witnesses: passed! Nicknamed Buss-Berta, she drove Kappelshamn-Visby route from 1927-34, had 8th child during time. d. #OTD 9 Dec 1961 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berta_P...
Reposted by frank squarerig
More or less 🤦♂️
December 9, 2025 at 11:40 PM
More or less 🤦♂️
Reposted by frank squarerig
BLOODY AI,a thread:so, I saw a picture online of the Towers of Perugia by a Renaissance artist, Benedetto Bonfigli whose other work I know a little bit. Here is the image 1/n:
December 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
BLOODY AI,a thread:so, I saw a picture online of the Towers of Perugia by a Renaissance artist, Benedetto Bonfigli whose other work I know a little bit. Here is the image 1/n:
Reposted by frank squarerig
After a lot of Seven Years War/French & Indian War purchases, this one seeks to trap up the story of the French Atlantic in the subsequent era. Alan Forrest is a Revolutionary/Napoleonic Wars legend. This will be good! 📚 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 #histbookchat
December 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
After a lot of Seven Years War/French & Indian War purchases, this one seeks to trap up the story of the French Atlantic in the subsequent era. Alan Forrest is a Revolutionary/Napoleonic Wars legend. This will be good! 📚 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 #histbookchat
Reposted by frank squarerig
"You know, every major city in Germany has state-supported theatre. That’s why they’re so good.” Patricia Hodge mourns the disappearance of repertory theatres in the UK. www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/d... via @theguardian.com
‘A producer grabbed me, and I thought, Oh, for God’s sake’: Patricia Hodge on sexual harassment, drugs – and being in her prime at 79
Until she reached her 50s, the actor was a constant presence on stage and screen. Then the offers disappeared. Now, as her renaissance continues, she is taking on Mrs Malaprop in The Rivals
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
"You know, every major city in Germany has state-supported theatre. That’s why they’re so good.” Patricia Hodge mourns the disappearance of repertory theatres in the UK. www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/d... via @theguardian.com
Reposted by frank squarerig
My latest book, The First World War in the Baltic Sea, Volume 1, was recently published. The first comprehensive account of the campaign in English.
markharrisauthor.wordpress.com/the-first-wo...
#navalhistory #germannavy #russiannavy #royalnavy #WW1 #balticsea #published #historybooks #history
markharrisauthor.wordpress.com/the-first-wo...
#navalhistory #germannavy #russiannavy #royalnavy #WW1 #balticsea #published #historybooks #history
The First World War in the Baltic Sea, Volume 1
Essen’s triumph, 1914 to February 1915 Published by Helion & Company, October 2025 A definitive history of the remarkable Baltic naval campaign, revealed through new research in Russian, German…
markharrisauthor.wordpress.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:43 AM
My latest book, The First World War in the Baltic Sea, Volume 1, was recently published. The first comprehensive account of the campaign in English.
markharrisauthor.wordpress.com/the-first-wo...
#navalhistory #germannavy #russiannavy #royalnavy #WW1 #balticsea #published #historybooks #history
markharrisauthor.wordpress.com/the-first-wo...
#navalhistory #germannavy #russiannavy #royalnavy #WW1 #balticsea #published #historybooks #history
Reposted by frank squarerig
From our Vault: The author recalls the fateful morning when he was standing inport officer-of-the-deck on board the USS Nevada (BB-36) on the morning of 7 December 1941. usni.org/magazines/p...
I Remember Pearl Harbor | Proceedings - December 1972 Vol. 98/12/838
The author recalls the fateful morning when he was standing import officer-of-the-deck on board the USS Nevada (BB-36).
www.usni.org
December 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
From our Vault: The author recalls the fateful morning when he was standing inport officer-of-the-deck on board the USS Nevada (BB-36) on the morning of 7 December 1941. usni.org/magazines/p...
Reposted by frank squarerig
"Russia has welcomed Donald Trump's new US National Security Strategy, calling it "largely consistent" with Moscow's vision."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New US Security Strategy aligns with Russia's vision, Moscow says
The Kremlin welcomes the starkly worded document, which does not cast Russia as a threat to the US.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
"Russia has welcomed Donald Trump's new US National Security Strategy, calling it "largely consistent" with Moscow's vision."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by frank squarerig
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and Corisk did the math Europe's politicians haven't.
Arm Ukraine to win: €522-838 billion. Let Russia win and rearm Europe: €1.2-1.6 trillion—double the cost. Plus 6-11 million additional refugees.
Arm Ukraine to win: €522-838 billion. Let Russia win and rearm Europe: €1.2-1.6 trillion—double the cost. Plus 6-11 million additional refugees.
December 6, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and Corisk did the math Europe's politicians haven't.
Arm Ukraine to win: €522-838 billion. Let Russia win and rearm Europe: €1.2-1.6 trillion—double the cost. Plus 6-11 million additional refugees.
Arm Ukraine to win: €522-838 billion. Let Russia win and rearm Europe: €1.2-1.6 trillion—double the cost. Plus 6-11 million additional refugees.
Reposted by frank squarerig
The €200 billion/year Ukraine needs? Less than 1% of Europe's GDP. Frozen Russian assets in Europe? €300 billion.
"This is really a no-brainer," says the study's author euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
"This is really a no-brainer," says the study's author euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
euromaidanpress.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The €200 billion/year Ukraine needs? Less than 1% of Europe's GDP. Frozen Russian assets in Europe? €300 billion.
"This is really a no-brainer," says the study's author euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
"This is really a no-brainer," says the study's author euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/03/b...
Reposted by frank squarerig
Fascinating @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social story on the rearming of Germany, a zeitenwende - turning of the times - reversing decades of history, fueled by a loss of faith in U.S. power
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
The New German War Machine
After World War II, Germany embraced pacifism as a form of atonement. Now the country is arming itself again.
www.theatlantic.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Fascinating @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social story on the rearming of Germany, a zeitenwende - turning of the times - reversing decades of history, fueled by a loss of faith in U.S. power
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by frank squarerig
Not only is the British state useless, it's also stupid.
The government can’t afford to clear up the gigantic waste mountain because it would have to pay millions of pounds to the government.
Environment Agency faces landfill tax bill worth millions to clear illegal waste
Exclusive: ‘extremely unhelpful’ policy seen as deterrent to clearing thousands of dump sites across England
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Not only is the British state useless, it's also stupid.
Reposted by frank squarerig
My employer, Dartmouth College, today boasts it's 1st Ivy "to launch AI at an institutional scale." It is doing this by partnering--"more than a collaboration"--with Anthropic, a company that stole the books of many faculty, me included, which many of us are suing.
December 4, 2025 at 9:38 PM
My employer, Dartmouth College, today boasts it's 1st Ivy "to launch AI at an institutional scale." It is doing this by partnering--"more than a collaboration"--with Anthropic, a company that stole the books of many faculty, me included, which many of us are suing.