- Covering the period from Francis Drake to the aftermath of the Second World War, this is the first book written on the subject of naval courts martial in over 100 years. During this period, thanks to naval power, Great Britain rose from an obscure island to a worldwide empire. The men that controlled these fleets wielded enormous power and influence and produced victory after victory, but they were individuals of as diverse a collection of colourful characters that could be created. Often more at war with each other than the enemy, not everything went to plan. The results were sometimes fatal, sometimes tragic, quite often unintentionally hilarious, but the subsequent trials and their outcomes, from mutiny to dereliction of duty to plain stupidity, often had far-reaching effects on the British social fabric and have become woven into the legal system of the land. Contents ; Origins and customs -- Some famous cases. A little more singeing (1587) -- A fleet in being (1690) -- The abandoning of Benbow (1702) -- An incident off Toulon (1744) -- To encourage the others (1757) -- Uncertainty off Ushant (1778) -- A foundering at Spithead (1782) -- Trouble with breadfruit (1792) -- "We intend to be masters" (1797) -- Nelson at Naples (1799) -- Action or inaction (1805) -- Indecision in the Basque roads (1809) -- Ships that go bump (1893) -- "On the knee" (1906) -- Superior or inferior (1914) -- As the sparks fly upward (1928) -- Judgement or conduct (1942) -- Points from proceedings. Mutiny and desertion -- Collision and wreck -- Losses in action -- Murder and other cases -- Joining the ladies -- Unusual cases and verdicts -- Peacetime misdoings -- Humour in court.