David Musgrove transports listeners back to the high seas in the 19th century, to uncover Bob Carlisle’s career as a Victorian sailor

By Dr David Musgrove

Published: Thursday, 22 February 2024 at 06:01 AM


What was it like to sail the high seas in the Victorian age? In the second episode in our new series on Bob Carlisle, a widely forgotten but larger-than-life character of the 19th century, David Musgrove transports listeners back to the dangers and daring exploits of life in the Victorian Royal Navy. With the help of maritime historian Martin Wilcox, David explores Carlisle’s years spent as a sailor in the navy and the merchant fleet, including on opulent transatlantic liners – revealing what his experiences can tell us about shipping in the era.