Joanna Colcord Dies (8 April 1960)
Joanna Carver Colcord (March 18, 1882 – April 8, 1960) was pioneering social worker, and author. Born at sea, she was also notable for publishing texts on the language, . . .
The Quartermasters release Sea Tales
The Quartermasters have released a three-song EP called Sea Tales. Songs included are, “The Wreck of the Liberty Bell”, “Silver Darlings”, . . .
John Townley Releases His Albums on Bandcamp
Maritime music legend John Townley has made his catalog of albums available to purchase as compact disks or for digital download on Bandcamp. John’s history with . . .
Poland’s Banana Boat Releases New Album
Banana Boat is a famous “Neo-Shanty” band from Poland and they have just released their latest album, ONO. This band has performed all over the world, making . . .
St. Patrick’s Song released by Tom Lewis
Today, Sunday, March 16, 2025 veteran maritime music performer Tom Lewis released his joyful new tune on YouTube, St. Patrick’s Song. Tom writes, “Coming . . .
Ewan MacColl Albums Available Again
The Maritime Music Directory International is very pleased to share that the many maritime-themed albums by the esteemed Ewan MacColl are now readily available . . .
U.S.S. Monitor battles C.S.S. Virginia
On March 9, 1862, one of the most famous naval battles in American history occurs as two ironclads, the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia, fight to a draw off Hampton . . .
Pressgang Mutiny Promotes New Album
Hi all,
I’m part of Pressgang Mutiny and we are in the final stages of producing our third album which, while still all shanties, is VERY different from our previous . . .
“Patrick has gone to join the stars.”
“Patrick has gone to join the stars.”
— Miguel Biard, on a Facebook post on 17 Feb, 2025
Patrick Denain was a memorable, French musician. He worked to . . .
“The most daring act of the age” (1804)
U.S. Navy stages daring mission during First Barbary War (February 16, 1804)
During the First Barbary War, U.S. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur leads a military mission . . .
Battle of Cape St. Vincent (14 Feb 1797)
The Battle of Cape St. Vincent (14 February 1797) was one of the opening battles of the Anglo-Spanish War (1796–1808), as part of the French Revolutionary Wars, where . . .
Schooner Lyman M. Law Sunk (2 Feb 1917)
The Austrian submarine U-35 bombs and sinks the American schooner Lyman M. Law in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cagliari, Sardinia. The Lyman M. Law, captained . . .
John Roberts Dies 3 Feb 2025
A Message From Lisa Preston:
“I am utterly heartbroken to have to share with you that my partner of over forty years, John Roberts, the wonderful traditional folk singer . . .
Jack Forbes Dies (2016)
Jack Forbes was a member of the Hoy Shanty Crew and Slow Loris. Jack passed away on January 30, 2016. He was the author of the much-covered modern maritime song, Rolling . . .
Tony Barrand Dies (2022)
Anthony Grant Barrand (April 3, 1945 – January 29, 2022) was a British-born American folk singer and academic. He was a Professor of Anthropology, College of Arts and . . .
Ken Stephens, RIP
We are sad to report that Ken Stephens passed away on Friday, 17 January, 2025.
You can read more about Stephens on his MMDI listing page.
British Convicts Land at Botany Bay (1788)
18th January 1788, the first elements of the First Fleet carrying 736 convicts from Great Britain to Australia arrive at Botany Bay.
Read a complete article on Historic UK.
The Moonlight Battle at Sea (16 Jan 1780)
British demonstrate naval supremacy in The Moonlight Battle
British Admiral Sir George Rodney, with 18 ships-of-the-line, engages an inferior Spanish squadron of 11 battleships . . .
Nelson’s State Funeral (9 Jan 1806)
Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, was given a state funeral in London on 9 January 1806. It was the first to be held at St Paul’s Cathedral and was . . .