The big picture

BBC Two and BBC iPlayer Concludes 30 and 31 December On 10 April 1912, RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton to New York on its maiden voyage. The liner, operated by the White Star Line, was said to b

The article on the battle against U-boats in the Second World War in the November issue omitted perhaps the most important episode. That was the part played by the late Joe Baker-Cresswell of Bamburgh

The German war on Allied convoys

We’re all familiar with the opulence of the great ocean liners in all their glory: polished brass fittings, glittering dining saloons, and wealthy passengers promenading on deck. Yet far below, in a w

Celebrating 100 years of the BBC Shipping Forecast, Jane Russell takes us on a series of coastal cruises through the forecast sea areas, exploring some of the special places on offer in each of them

The railway revolution opened up new destinations, expanded our culinary horizons and dramatically improved trade. Jonathan Self takes us on a whistle-stop tour of ‘railway mania’